Kirpianuscus a love story. or only a war story. in fact, both. not as two parts of a single story but as mixed sides. because its virtue is to be an old fashion story. comfortable in a specific way. seductive in each aspect. it is one of films who gives the flavor and the colors of a world. in delicate and touching manner. one of many stories about her and him, about the other, about the unexpected event and about the truth as a fragile building, after decades. and this does "Closing the Ring" more than a Hallmark film. but a sort o rediscover of personal memories about similar facts and meets and decisions.

herbqedi Closing the Ring features complex and scintillating performances from Shirley MacLaine (as Ethel Ann), Christopher Plummer (As Jack) with solid support by veterans such as the late great Peter Postlethwaite and Brenda Fricker. Neve Campbell in a sort of third lead is also terrific as the daughter who is frustrated and nonplussed over being shut out by her mother. As you might expect, the young people in this film get a bit more of the screen time (although not nearly as skewed as usual - see The Debt, etc.). Mischa Barton as the young, high-spirited, and willful Ethel Ann, supplies the energy and marvelous acting to make these segments work along with the chemistry with the young man playing Teddy (her soul- mate). For me, the other young actors in these segments, the fellow who played Chuck (Arnell) was supposed to be sturdy but quiet; he was quiet but the sturdy art was never reflected by the actor - he just seemed pathetic. Gregory Smith who played young Jack, had lots of personality and complexity, but there is no way that person grows up physically or emotionally to be Christopher Plummer's Jack. On the other side of the pond, the young actors playing tartly Eleanor (later Fricker) and callow young Quinlan (later Postlethwaite) were perfectly cast and acted in their tiny roles. The head-turning performance to me was by the irrepressible Jimmy (Martin McCann) who took the role of the romantic and impetuous naif far beyond the script in his mannerisms and energy.Overall, this is a bit overlong with some unnecessary sequences and a bit too much melancholia. But, that's my opinion and mostly nitpicking. If you like epic WWII romances and as a romantic love to say their present-day resolutions, this movie is well worth your time.

Petri Pelkonen The year is 1991.A world war veteran has died.Then some secrets of the past are revealed.Ethel Ann, the wife of the deceased, never loved his husband.He loved somebody else during the war time.In Ireland a ring is discovered.Richard Attenborough, 87, is the director and producer of Closing the Ring.This is the last movie Attenborough has made.It will probably remain his last, since he's not in the best of shape, according to his brother, Sir David Attenborough.There is a very nice cast in this movie.Shirley MacLaine portrays Ethel Ann.Mischa Barton is her younger version.Neve Campbell plays the daughter Marie.Christopher Plummer plays Jack.His younger version is played by Gregory Smith.Stephen Amell is Teddy Gordon.Brenda Fricker is Grandma Reilly.Martin McCann is Jimmy Reilly.Pete Postlethwaite, who we sadly lost to cancer on January at 64, plays Michael Quinlan.John Travers is the young Michael.David Alpay plays Chuck.This may not be the best of the director, but it has its moments.The drama plays pretty well.So it's a movie worth seeing by Richard Attenborough.

TheEmulator23 This is utter tripe. A complete waste of the superb cast. The fact Sir Richard Attenborough directed this makes it all the worse. The acting is good but the best actors in the world can't make a bad script a good film. It's long, drawn out, & flat out boring which is sad. It's a poor excuse for a movie. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unfortunately. This is actually worse than Sandra Bullock's terrible snooze-fest "Love & War." Stick to Attenborough's "Gandhi" (although it doesn't hold up too well today) & "Chaplin" for his best efforts. This is not one of them at all. This was unheard of for quite good reason. Skip this because you will forget it before it's even over.