Those who could not see the beauty in this wonderful film were only using their eyes, and not their heart. Captain Corelli's Mandolin is a visually gorgeous and emotionally rich story of the beautiful Greek island of Cephallonia and its people during WWII. It is a slowly developing story of love and tradition amidst the awkwardness of war. We get a hint from the very beginning what this film is about as we hear the voice-over of the island's doctor, John Hurt: “Ask not why we are wounded, but if the wound can be healed.”

Hurt gives a wonderful performance as the island's doctor and the wise father of Pelagia (Penelope Cruz), whom he is training to be a doctor as well. Cruz’s fawn-like beauty only serves to enhance a fine and subtle performance of inner emotional turmoil. Pelagia is engaged to Mandras (Christian Bale) and their betrothal scene is one of the many traditions Madden lets us see as he slowly gives us a feel for the people of Cephallonia and their storied history.

But war looms on the horizon and though the Greeks initially beat back the Italians in Albania they are overtaken when German reinforcements arrive. War finally comes to the island in the form of life-loving and peaceful Captain Antonio Corelli. Corelli and his men are Italians by birth but soldiers only by necessity. He and his troop sing opera and share a lust for life. When he comes to stay in Pelagia’s home in exchange for medical supplies to her father, love begins to unfold in a very quiet and careful manner.

Her betrothal and the unwanted occupation of the Italians are stumbling blocks to their romance, however. Small and subtle moments like Pelagia’s sitting back down to listen to Corelli play the mandolin, and her picking up a picture in his room and smiling tell us what is developing within her heart. Hurt has a touching moment with his daughter once a triangle is formed, trying to explain to her what love really is using his courtship with Pelagia’s mother. But war and love are a bad mix, bringing about tender and quietly moving scenes of separation when a decision that while necessary, changes lives forever.

This is a quiet and beautiful film, very much with an old-Hollywood type feel to it. Though visually sumptuous, this is food for the heart and soul, not just the eyes. Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz are marvelous, as are John Hurt and all the other inhabitants of this magical place in time. Much was made of Cage’s performance here — most notably his in-and-out Italian accent — but I became involved with the story and it no longer mattered to me.

When things return to normal on the island after the war, Pelagia becomes a doctor, like her father. But her father knows she is no longer whole, and takes steps to rectify things, if he can, in a lovely but underrated film too many perhaps, saw with their eyes but not their hearts. Recommended. ( )