Rating: 
Summary: Disapointing and Depressing
Review: I can not help but think that all these positive reviews are due to fans of Ioan Gruffud than any merits of the film itself. I saw a preview of this movie and I left wishing that I had not seen the film at all. Only resemblance this film has with Romeo and Juliet is that the two characters were on opposite sides. The supposed "love" story I saw in this movie consisted of the young couple having sex at every possible momment. To me that is not love. Perhaps I have been spoiled by watching Gruffud play a brave and honest man, in Horatio Horblower. But I hated the character he played in this movie, he was just a gutless coward who abandoned his girlfriend, except untilt he predicatable end. The behaviour of the Jewish parents were atrocious. They complained about persecution, but their attitude towards the pregnant Gaenor made my hair stand on ends In all I just found this a horrible and depressing movie, you may want to watch it early in the morning so that you can cheer yourself up during the rest of the day.
Rating:
Summary: Sadly fell far short of my expectations.
Review: I had great hopes for this film. I am a big fan of Ioan Gruffud, but that does not mean that I am a fan of every film that he shows up in.
A good case in point in this film. Too many films like to slap on the "Romeo and Juliet" tag in order to reel in audiences. Solomon and Gaenor is a good case in point. The "love" story in this movie is extreemly poorly developed. As was the supposed tension between the Jews and the Christians. From my reading of Romeo and Juliet the tension was far more real and you could see the real strife. What do you get in Solomon and Gaenor? The same old story of the Jews being victimized by (the whipping boy du jour) Christians. I agree that the treatment of Solomon's parents towards the poor Gaenor was horrible considering the way that they were treated by others.
Beautiful cinematography, "sensitively done sex scenes" does not a good movie make. Do not buy this movie hopping to come out with some kind of setimental feelings you might have gained from seeing the 1968 or 1996 versions of Romeo and Juliet. Those two movies left me in tears, because everything seemed so poignant and real. Solomon and Gaenor left me with "Why did I even bother?" because everything seemed so manipulted and contrived. I almost expected to see a sign that said "Cry here" after each scene.
If your only reason for wanting to see this film is because of Ioan, then I suggest that you BUY both Horatio Hornblower series. You will find more satisfaction and hope from that.
You have been warned.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful and timely
Review: I just got my copy and loved it! The filming was beautiful, scenery, atmosphere, languages. Of course Ioan Gruffudd was wonderful I have to say he was the main reason I bought it. Watching it through once though I saw so much more in it. The Theme of religious differences are really brought out. How we view our faiths in light of the world around us made this a true drama. It was beautiful, sad but wonderfully done.
Rating:
Summary: Rare
Review: I love this film mainly because there is absolutely no sentimentality. It it very factual in its approach, and yet the angst is gut-wrenching, the scenery is incredible (the winter scenery was an amazingly good choice), and the warmth between Solomon and Gaenor is magic.
It seemed obvious to me that the fear that each of the two families had had grown out of lack of communication and understanding about each others background.
If I were looking for a moral to this tale, I'd say that it is that we need to learn to accept each other no matter what our background, and learn that love is something that transcends all and no laws or taboos should exclude those who are truly in love.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, Superb!!!
Review: I love this film mainly because there is absolutely no sentimentality. It it very factual in its approach, and yet the angst is gut-wrenching, the scenery is incredible (the winter scenery was an amazingly good choice), and the warmth between Solomon and Gaenor is magic.
It seemed obvious to me that the fear that each of the two families had had grown out of lack of communication and understanding about each others background.
If I were looking for a moral to this tale, I'd say that it is that we need to learn to accept each other no matter what our background, and learn that love is something that transcends all and no laws or taboos should exclude those who are truly in love.
Rating:
Summary: Rare
Review: I never expected to see pain captured as well as in the final scene in this movie. This movie gets it right, and it was something I have never seen anyobody else do at this high of a level. The movie becomes eternal...
I would tend to believe that the people who do not give this movie favorable reviews, are not the people that you should be associating with in this life.
Rating:
Summary: Could have been better.
Review: I saw the movie because I'm a fan of Mr. Gruffudd, but I didn't like so much of the full nudity. There was no lovestory, just two individuals who are too careless of their passions. What a total waste of acting talent for both Gruffudd and Roberts'. Halfway through the movie I wished I hadn't watched it. Was it so necessary for them to show so much sex scenes? If you want to see Ioan Gruffudd, buy the Hornblower series or The Great Expectations. I was curious about this movie because they raved so much about it. Glad it didn't win the Foreign film nomination, too depressing.
Rating: 
Summary: lifeless story, lacking originality
Review: I was disappointed with this movie because it had great potential but finished poorly. The basic premise is good--boy and girl from different backgrounds meet and fall in love, and very quickly begin having an affair without ever showing why these 2 very different people would fall in love with eachother. What did each want out of life, what were their dreams, their hopes for the future, how did they view the world around them, whether that world was small or large? What kind of people were they? None of these questions are answered by the movie--their relationship is based entirely on sex, which does explain why it falls apart--there is not enough of anything else between them to hold them together at the first sign of adversity. On top of this, the relationship is based on lies. Solomon lies to Gaenor about his ethnicity in order to win her, then compounds the lie with more lies about why she cannot meet his family (when he has been to tea with hers several times). The rest of the story is predictable from here on. Gaenor becomes pregnant, and, Romeo & Juliet-like, their families separate them. Of the two protagonists, I thought that Gaenor was the stronger of the two. She is the one who is more accepting of Solomon's faith and who is willing to work so long as they can be together. There were hints and clues that even Gaenor should have picked up (a veiled reference to Solomon's circumcised state).
Solomon was a tower of jello--he wasn't willing to fight for her until she went to live with her aunt for the remainder of her pregnancy, and even then it was too little, too late, and pays for it with his life.
If you are looking for a good romance, don't look here. This movie doesn't measure up.
Rating:
Summary: POWERFUL, INTENSE & HEART WRENCHING
Review: I'll be brief, 'cause I don't like to give too much away. This is superb filmaking. If you liked "Feast of July" then this one's for you.
The story: an amazing study of racial tension and industrial unrest set in the Welsh Valleys of 1911. Perfect direction from Paul Morrison. Nia Roberts as Gaenor, and Ioan Gruffudd as Solomon are flawless, and the rest of the cast are in top form. The cinematography is breathtaking. Other films you just sit and watch...this one you will experience!
Run, don't walk to see this excellent film. All else will pale by comparison.
