A Map of the Human Heart; Everything you need to know about a movie in it's title

It takes a certain type of sentimentality to really appreciate movies like A Map of the Human Heart (1993) as it is meant to be appreciated. I don't say this in a negative way, I just personally couldn't love the film, but I can see how some could. It is one of those sprawling love stories that spans continents decades and wars. 

Where this film has an advantage over others like it, is in its detail and thematic elements. All of which should be accredited to director Vincent Ward.It incorporates comparisons of the dangers and difficulties of mapping new land to that of life and love (in the title). It attempts to deal with race and the experience the characters have being half white and half another race (with much less success).  It should also be noted that the cinematography by Eduardo Serra is breathtaking, especially the war scenes which conjure up hellish images that are reminiscent of those in Apocalypse Now. It is worth seeing the movie simply for Serra's work, which elevates the film above the normal boring what I call English theatre Cinematography. 

Where the film and other love stories of similar value fall flat is in its inability to convince me that these two are even meant to be together. I understand the value of true love when it comes to cinema, but these two met as young children and then didn't see each other for another decade. Even if you buy the love story, there is a lot of awkward dialogue between the older Avkine and Albertine and it hurts the believability of the relationship. 

I enjoyed the acting for the most part from both the children version of Avkine and Albertine and the older versions. Vincent Ward did a good job in just letting the children be, and be in the moment, it helped give a feeling of a genuine relationship blooming. The best performance comes from the Clark Gable like Patrick Bergen as the adventurer and mapmaker Walter Russell. The relationship between Walter and Avkine is complex as he starts as the hero and turns into the villain (but is he ever really the villain?) 

Some people will go with A Map of the Human Heart and enjoy it immensely and I can understand why. I however couldn't quite follow the relationship and because of that the film turns from unforgettable to forgettable. Ultimately the film tries to encompass to much including a random appearance from John Cusak. 

**1/2