Solomon & Gaenor

Set in economically depressed Wales circa 1911, the budding romance between a young Jewish door-to-door dry goods salesman, Solomon (Ioan Gruffudd, Wilde), and lovely Gaenor (radiant newcomer Nia Roberts), the Christian daughter of a poor, strict mining family, sets the stage for an expected clash of cultures that ends in heartbreak for the star-crossed lovers. Despite the familiar theme, a pair of appealing performances by the lead actors, together with a nice period feel, breathe some fresh air into the strip-mined material. Oscar-nominated for Best Foreign Film last year, this is a strong optional purchase. (T. Rich)