Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
is neutral about it.
This second
Tom Cruise/
Nicole Kidman co-starrer, made in-between 1990's
Days of Thunder and 1999's
Eyes Wide Shut, is a stylish romantic epic. Director
Ron Howard captures pastoral Ireland and the untamed American West with stunning appeal. The love story is well-constructed and well-fleshed out, and showcases some fairly dynamic chemistry between the husband-and-wife team. Sporting a fairly authentic Irish accent, Cruise is remarkably understated, and Kidman plays off of him adequately. Despite the solid acting, the film's visuals are clearly its strong suit: Howard demonstrates a well-trained eye for backdrops, and
Mikael Salomon's cinematography enthralls. Though the script gets bogged down slightly in the middle and lacks some substance, this dramatic period piece is a decent, folkloric snapshot of immigrant Americana. ~ Mike DiBella, All Movie Guide