Manny The Movie Guy /

I must admit that upon watching the first few minutes of "War Horse," I was dubious about Steven Spielberg’s latest movie. I knew that I was entering the director’s territory with a film about the undying love between a boy and his horse and all the feel-good sentimentalities that come with it.

But I must also confess that by the end of the film, I could not help but cry with tears of joy. I tried to resist the Hallmark sensibilities of the movie but ultimately, Spielberg won. "War Horse" simply swept me away.

Spielberg is an astute filmmaker and a great puppeteer of emotions. He knows exactly when to make you laugh and cry. But the real hero of the movie is a horse named Joey and only a cold hearted snake would not be charmed by the winning stallion.

The First World War is experienced through the journey of Joey and a young man named Albert (Jeremy Irvine). Their remarkable friendship is really what the movie is all about. The sacrifices that Joey and Albert make to survive provide the strong center of the story.

Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, the incredible journey begins on the cusp of WWI. A struggling English farming family, headed by Ted Narracott (Peter Mullan), decides to buy a fiery hunter colt at auction, much to the chagrin of his wife Rosie (two-time Oscar nominee Emily Watson).

Their son Albert is determined to tame and train Joey, including making the horse help with the farm. But when war breaks out, the two are pulled apart as Joey is sold to help a British cavalry officer, Captain Nicholls (Tom Hiddleston).

What I like about the material is its equal treatment of both warring sides. Joey serves in the British and German armies and proves that a creature with pure motives can help build bridges.

Meanwhile, Albert embarks on his own perilous mission while holding fast to a dream of reunion and renewal. "War Horse" culminates in the haunting No Man’s Land between British and German territory. This is where your eyes will start to swell up so get your tissues ready.

But don’t be afraid, "War Horse" is not depressing. As I’ve said earlier, the tears come from joy and not from sadness. Lee Hall and Richard Curtis wrote a screenplay that celebrates life amidst a backdrop of desperation.

The cinematography by Janusz Kaminski is a sight to behold. The wide angle shots capture the immense spectacle of war while the personal, quiet moments are encapsulated by close-ups. Kaminski also uses the glowing red of sunset as a backdrop of our heroic horse. The film pays homage to another war movie, "Gone with the Wind."

Spielberg is clearly still in love with his craft. Besides "War Horse," the busy director is also releasing "The Adventures of Tintin" this weekend. It’s his animated tale in partnership with producer Peter Jackson. Both films are entertaining, but I’m betting that "War Horse" will be the one to win your heart. After all, this holiday season, a movie about loyalty and hope is what we all need. Plus it’s good to cry. It’s quite cathartic.