“Inside each of us is a miracle, a miracle intended for one person alone.” This is the statement on which the Valentine’s Day film “Winter’s Tale” builds its foundation. However, director Akiva Goldsman would have needed to use his miracle to give this film a chance at success.

ADAPTATION OF 1983 NOVEL 

The movie is based off the well-loved 1983 novel by Mark Helprin that has developed a large fan base over the years. Because I have not read the book, it is hard to claim that the problem was solely in the adaptation from page to screen, but from what I can tell, this was just a good story poorly executed.

“Winter’s Tale” follows the story of Peter Lake (Colin Farrell), an orphaned thief who recently had a falling out with his boss Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe). Halfway through the movie we find out Soames is a demon working for Lucifer (Will Smith), trying to prevent Lake from using his miracle to save the beautiful redheaded heiress, Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay) from consumption.

Lake and Penn had developed an instant love connection after she caught him trying to rob her house and ironically invited him to stay for a cup of tea. Despite her condition, the two of them allow their love story to continue, and Lake is haunted by the possibility that his miracle may be destined to save someone else.

A POOR SCRIPT, GOOD CAST 

The acting performances by Farrell, Findlay and Crowe were all fairly good considering the script they had to work with. In particular, Farrell — with his terrible haircut — does his best to pull this movie from sub-par oblivion, but it is far too corny to be saved. The graphics were cheesy and the storyline obviously did not translate well from the novel. The film also had religious undertones, but they were not clearly communicated. A lot of underlying plots and themes may have been lost in the mix of magical flying horses and Lake’s ability to stay the same age for over a century. The whole movie was just a little too mystical for my taste.

One theme that was able to shine through all of the fantasy was the battle between good and evil. Even this display was hokey, but it demonstrated beautiful imagery.  The contrast between light and dark, black and white, and good and evil may have been overpowering but at least it was straightforward. With the exception of the romance, not much else in the movie made sense.