Set in Montana during the early 1900’s, the movie follows the life of Tristan Ludlow (Brad Pitt) and the love he shares with his two brothers for the same woman, Susanna, played by Julia Ormond.

Tristan’s character, of the wild and adventurous type, lies somewhere between that of his brother Alfred (Aidan Quinn), the straight and narrow, and Samuel (Henry Thomas), the dreamer.

Anthony Hopkins plays their father, a colonel in the army. With the onset of the first World War, Samuel has a desire to prove to his father that he is a man and a hero. Even though Hopkins disagrees with the boys’ desire to go to war, all three enlist, leaving Samuel’s fiancee, Susanna.

Tristan joins the army along with his brothers in order to protect Samuel. Before leaving, however, Tristan seduces Susanna, beginning the love affair that continues throughout the rest of the movie.

The graphic war scene gives the audience its first glimpse of Tristan’s inner turmoil.

The scene after Samuel’s death in which Tristan cuts out his brother’s heart to release his soul is powerful, and sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

With Tristan’s arrival home from the war and Samuel’s death, Tristan and Susanna continue their love affair. The two fall in love, but eventually Tristan leaves again, this time to fight the guilt he feels for his brother’s death.

The movie shows Tristan after the war, sailing the seas and going to places like New Guinea and Africa.

To make a long story short, boy wins girl, boy leaves girl, girl marries his brother, boy comes back, boy marries cute little servant girl, servant girl is murdered, boy takes revenge. I won’t tell you the ending, but it’s good.

The movie attempts to be an epic and has a story line that sets a good pace for the movie. As one viewer put it, you can only have so many scenes of Pitt riding against the horizon, of which I think there were maybe five.

The movie was shot near Vancouver, and the scenery is one of the better parts of the movie. The family home snuggled between mountains, the bathing scenes in the river the scenery adds to the epic quality of the movie.

Each actor puts in an exceptional performance. Anthony Hopkins does a great job as the father torn between his sons. Brad Pitt is perfect as the confused, tormented, grieving soul who can’t seem to find any happiness.

Film on romantic side

This movie is on the romantic side but does offer a lot of action.

For all of you with boyfriends that won’t take you to see this, don’t worry go with girlfriends. You’ll appreciate the scenery a lot more. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Legends of the Fall is playing at the Varsity Theater. Check you local listings for times.