Sept. 13, 2002 — It's World War II and the Italians have just captured Greece. Capt. Antonio Corelli (Nicholas Cage) is probably the handsomest fascist ever, if not the most musical, as he strums along in "Captain Corelli's Mandolin."
Music notwithstanding, Corelli is in charge of Pagliacci Company. which occupies a small and charming Greek island where there lives a comely lass, Pelagia (Penelope Cruz). But, alas, the lass is engaged to another.
Pelagia, the educated and strong-willed daughter of the village doctor, is at first offended by the good captain but soon weakens under his abundant charms. (Any lass who would do less in the face of Cage's charms must have misplaced hormones.)
Critics seem very amused by Cage's Italian accent, which apparently runs to adding an "A" to assorted nouns and the occasional verb.
But what about Palagia's young fiancé (Christian Bale)? Well, he gets sent off to fight the Germans for openers. But that's hardly all. The ensuing yarn takes about two and a half hours to unfold under a warm and exotic Greek sun.
The movie is directed by John Madden of "Shakespeare in Love." It is rated R for some violence, sexuality and language.
It is playing at Market Square East.
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