another extraordinary performance by Joseph Mazello in Shadowlands (1993)
Written by kabouter am 01 May 2001 19:30:56:
Still voyaging in my video store's b-movieland I borrowed a brit film called Shadowlands. It fit the kabbyteria in as much as it promised a son to the leading character in this tale about Lion, Witch & Wardrobe author CS Lewis. The son was more than just a boy it was my favourite boy actor of the 90's Joseph Mazzello.
The film is set in Oxford in 1952 and it is strange to see a 9 year old Joseph dressed in period english boy's clothes and interacting with English intelligensia - played by Anthony Hopkins, Edward Hardwicke etc..
Its an interesting film about interesting people played by interesting people. Joseph performs his part to perfection of course. What is it about him? That squeaky high voice? That pigeon chest? The superb acting? All of these. Yes and more.
I love that kid. I also expect great things from him as an adult actor. He is 18 now.
Watch Shadowlands if you want a long and intelligent film that will move you profoundly. Directed by Richard Attenborough it is also a quintissentially british film with a marvellous Oxford setting and given that many of the actors are themselves alumnii of Oxbridge one imagines they played their parts with insight (and hindsight) :)
Jospeh has a major role in the film and his relationships with his mother Debra Winger, Hopkins (as Lewis) and Hardwicke as the brother/uncle..... are fascinating.
Do yourselves a favour and watch it. I gave it 9/10 on the IMdB