Oscar-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind) makes his feature directorial debut with this adaptation of Mark Helprin's 800-page bestseller from 1983. Under ordinary circumstances, film adaptations are risky; the abundance of material in Helprin's novel should have made this one impossible. Still, Goldsman forged ahead, whether through hubris or optimism, and the result is as sweeping and ridiculous as anticipated. Read the full review at KCActive.com.