Sara Wildberger

The movie is a little long for kids.

It's a cute and clever good-vs-evil parable.

Documentary of riveting personal stories.

While House of Mirth is well done as a period piece, it has such an eerie contemporary resonance that you nearly forget about the horses and corsets and lamplight.

There's enough here to make anyone who enjoyed -- if that's the right word -- "Happiness" or "Magnolia" splendidly unhappy.

Isn't riveting, but it's diverting enough.

The comedy of errors that ensues sometimes slides into Seinfeld territory -- not that there's anything wrong with that -- but the subtlety of the performances combined with graceful retro filmmaking touches and wry narration keep it well above sitcom level. [1 July 1998, p.2D]

Strolls from high sentiment to low humor without a stumble, but without reaching any great depth or height.

A surfeit of farce and fast-talking makes up for a lack of plot.

All in all it's a decent, well-put-together romantic drama to hold hands to on the weekend.

As magical as "The Wizard of Oz," the film leaves its spare setting and blooms into action in a colorful springtime world to tell the story of an epic romance lush with silken costumes, giggling courtesans, comic servants and rulers cruel and compassionate.

Don't let it slip out of town without getting a look at it.

Doggone funny.