Review of Carolina

This was the first time I have seen Julia Stiles and I was impressed with her portrayal of Carolina. She is of course very pretty, and for one so young she has a commanding presence on the screen. Her character is surely foreign to any of her life experiences but she demonstrates her acting abilities by making it totally believable. Shirley MacLaine plays the role of Carolina's grandmother, an irascible, bold and bawdy woman who meets life head on with courage and defiance. No one could perform the part any better, and I really can't imagine anyone else in the role. The tale is a love story involving Carolina, her family and her best friend who adores her.

The tale takes Carolina from childhood through early adulthood as she seeks balance in her life while looking for a "normal" guy. She thinks she has found one in the suave and debonair "Heath" (Edward Atterton), an Englishman, who sweeps her off her feet, only to disappoint her after meeting her eccentric family. Meanwhile, in the background is her best friend Albert (Allesandro Nivola), who is secretly in love with her. The story contains comedy, romance and pathos and will leave you satisfied. I didn't like the ending, it could have been better written, but the story is charming and entertaining and well worth watching, if for no other reason than to enjoy the performance of Julia Stiles.