MovieChat Forums > Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001) Discussion > This Movie Could Have Been SO much bette...

This Movie Could Have Been SO much better

posted 20 years ago by kittykoritsi
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I was very disappointed in this movie. Being Greek and having a grandfather from the island where this took place (Kefallonia), I expected so much more. First of all, they could have cast an actual Greek as Pelagia, that would have made so much more sense. Also, the character Mandras is awful! His accent is horrible; they should have cast an actual Greek for his part as well. The best part, in my opinion, of the movie was getting to see the beautiful scenery of the island of Kefallonia. I have only been there once, but it was worth the trip. I have even been to the beach where they filmed the bomb scene. Just thought everyone might find that interesting. I stand by my opinion that Greeks should have played the parts of the Greeks in the movie. Also, Cage could have done better with the Italian accent.

[–] jporter-6 12 years ago

Thank you for your observation that ethnic Greeks should have played the Greek roles in the movies. Unfortunately, directors and producers have visions: sometimes, a fetching young Spanish ex-dancer and striking actress will make a much better Greek than a Greek would.

And sometimes--I'm disturbed by this--the beautiful young Greek actress who was just for the role in EVERY want, would not take her clothes off and join him on the casting couch. I don't think that happened in this movie. You're going to hate this, but I think Penelope Cruz was just right. But then, I think Penelope Cruz is just right for EVERY role she plays.

Your desire to see ethnic Greeks play Greeks is simply the cry of American Indian people who want American Indians instead of Dustin Hoffman to play American Indian roles.

As for Nicolas Cage's accent: it is the inability of Joey Tribbiani to sound like an Italian applied universally.