Just as we approach the end of August comes CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN, a summer romance that has everything you could ask for: a gorgeous locale (Greece), a gorgeous gal (Penelope Cruz), the two hunks who love her (Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale), and events that ensure conflict and drama (World War II, to be exact).

Based on the novel CORELLI’S MANDOLIN by Louis de Bernieres, the Greek island of Cephallonia is occupied by Italian forces during the early days of WWII. Captain Corelli (Cage) is the cultured, music-loving commander of artillery, who trains his men to sing opera as well as to fire the big guns. He soon falls in love with Pelagia (Cruz), a beautiful and intelligent local woman whose ambition is to become a doctor like her father. However, she is engaged to Mandras (Bale), a simple local fisherman who is off fighting with the Greek resistance movement. Once the Germans come into the picture, the Italians and the Greek must unite against a common enemy, which forces Corelli and Mandras to help each other, while Pelagia is forced to make a difficult decision…

Actually, the decision is not that difficult; after all, girls always dig guys who play the guitar (or mandolin as the case may be). But the obvious nature of the love triangle aside, CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN is a very enjoyable romantic movie. The supporting characters are well developed, especially that of Pelagia’s father played by John Hurt. The cinematography vividly captures the beauty of the island, its rugged countryside and breathtaking sea. With the added bonus of some wartime action for the guys, this is definitely a great date movie as well as a satisfying chick flick.

—Sandhya Shardanand

hybridCinema Ratings Guide:

Take a pal and pay full price for both tickets.

It’s worth a full-price ticket.

It’s worth a matinee ticket.

Wait for video rental.

Check out the video from the library, if you must.

While we would never encourage anyone to destroy a video...