Sick Product of a Sick System

One of my all time favorites.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Based on the true story of a British soldier who must be left behind after being injured as the Nazis approach, he wanders throughout Italy trying in vain to make his way back to Allied forces, his country, whereever, and meets a young Italian girl who translates for him. The surprises at every turn when he seems to encounter fear of Nazis and instead it is humanity is a driving force in this film. The disdain for the Axis powers is found at every turn. Expect to see a small scene of a nun facing off against the Nazis. The nun will win, by the way. Escapes abound in this movie as well.The only recognizeable face is the British fellow who appears in English shows like 'Rumpole of the Bailey' and 'To The Manor Born'. Callum Blue as Eric Newby has everything Hugh Grant does, without the wimpiness or scandal. The Italian country side is also an outstanding supporting player in this film. I was used to grape vineyards and Godfather scenery in Italy. While still being the country, it was nice to not see bad tempered stereotypes. And the slow, sad musical score that creeps in will be perfect to make the dear woman beside you reach for her Kleenex.

I happened across this presentation quite by accident and was pleasantly surprised. The story, set in wartime, is sweet and romantic and made even more interesting because it is true. The young British actor who played Eric Newby really impressed me...he has leading man potential and I hope to see more of him. Tall, lanky and angular with an expressive, wide-eyed, boyish appeal, he was convincing in both the comic moments, the romantic scenes, and the tenser escape scenes. He plays a British soldier, escaped from a POW camp in Italy. His escape is hampered by a foot injury. While his injury is healing, with the help of the local villagers, he hides from the Nazis, learns some Italian phrases (these scenes were particularly amusing) and falls in love. The movie will eventually be offered by Hallmark as part of their video collection.

"In Love and War" is a simple feel-good TV-film, and should be viewed as such.(Possible spoiler)It is the story of a WWII British soldier, Newby, captured with his commando by the Italians and imprisoned in a former orphanage. As the Italians surrender to the Allies, the commando is freed, and attempts to flee. However, the Germans arrive and the commando is captured again. Only Newby, injured, remains at large. The rest of the film recounts how he is hidden and protected by the Partisans, and his survival.(End of spoiler)Based on a true story, "In Love and War" is a refreshingly straightforward film. Half comedy, half romance, the story is simple and unambiguous. The 'atmosfera' is warm and sunny, and the various stereotypes (the desperately unorganized or romantic Italians, the serious stern-looking Germans and the phlegmatic and pragmatic British), although unoriginal, are still humorous. Nicola Piovani's musical score also adds to the Mediterranean flavour.Although it is far from being a "Tea With Mussolini" or a "La Vita E Bella", "In Love and War" is a sweet simple film that will put a smile, and maybe even a little tan, on your face.

Filmed entirely in Italy, this true World War II drama about an English prisoner-of-war is superb. Everything about this film is brilliant; more importantly, it's a testament to the indomitable will of the human spirit.