I went to see this movie not knowing much about C. S. Lewis beyond his “The Chronicles of Narnia” books. I did some reading about him afterward because I wanted to understand the film better and be able to write something about it. I was struck by how connected he was to the university and his friendship with J. R. R. Tolkien, who also created a significant work of fantasy. It's interesting when you think about it, how their writings have so many shared elements, subtle connections. But that’s probably something for another time. The movie centers on Lewis’ life, particularly his romantic relationship with his wife, Joy Gresham. Lewis was an academic, philosopher, and theologian who produced a lot of writing in those areas, and the film shows how he unexpectedly marries a recently divorced American woman, leading to a love that develops between them later on. The story came from a play, which itself was based on writings by Lewis about his experiences and feelings. What I found most impressive were the direction and the actors' performances. Sir Richard Attenborough is known for his meticulousness, cinematography, and location choices. Many consider him one of Britain’s finest directors, and this film demonstrates that, leaving us with a work full of elegance and beauty—though it seems to have been largely overlooked lately, and deserves more recognition. The cast is led expertly by Debra Winger and Sir Anthony Hopkins, two actors of considerable skill. Hopkins delivers an emotionally powerful performance; you can see he put a lot of feeling and intelligence into his portrayal. I wasn’t as captivated by Winger's work, but its quality is undeniable, especially in her scenes with Hopkins or with her fictional son, played by Joseph Mazello, who also deserves credit for a good job. The rest of the cast supports the main characters well, though they don’t particularly stand out. The film was shot in Oxford, and Attenborough made an effort to use authentic locations where Lewis would have been—places he certainly knew, like the university and academic buildings. It conveys the atmosphere of that old, respected institution, along with some of its ceremonies and traditions. The cinematography is lovely, making excellent use of light, close-ups, landscapes, and the beauty of historic architecture. There aren’t any flashy special effects—the film doesn't require them—but the soundtrack works well.

Source on TMDB