Untamed Heart is an updated version of the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale, and that's the film's magic -- it's simple, enchanting fun.

Although the script by Tom Sierchio doesn't bring anything new to the romance genre, director Tony Bill compensates by bringing an ordinary feel to the material. He allows the film to slowly draw us in until we are hooked by its predictability instead of wallowing in it.

The film stars Marisa Tomei as Caroline, an insecure waitress who has been unlucky in love. She is vigilantly watched over by Adam (Christian Slater), the quiet dishwasher who follows her home every night to make sure she gets there safely.

One night, Caroline is attacked, and when Adam comes to the rescue the two form a hesitant bond that eventually develops into a loving relationship.

In Love Story-like fashion, Adam conveniently has a weak heart. In the film's prologue, we see Adam being raised in an orphanage where he was told by the nuns that he had a baboon's heart. The film treats this point in a rather mystical fashion, which inevitably leads to tragedy.

From the description, the film may sound like overly sentimental rubbish, yet it works, in large part due to the performances by Tomei and Slater.

Earlier this week, Tomei garnered an Oscar nomination for her work in last year's My Cousin Vinny. If that performance was an introduction, this one is star-making. Tomei simply radiates in the role as the down-trodden Caroline, allowing us to penetrate her beautiful exterior to see her troubled interior. It's a great performance that hopefully the Academy will remember a year from now.

Slater is also very impressive, finally shrugging off that terrible "young Nicholson" persona and even acting for a change. He's good in a rather quiet role that demands more expressiveness than verbalization. Their scenes together are remarkable, slowly directed by Bill to draw us into their feelings for each other, uncharacteristically portraying love over passion.

The sense of predictability in this film works because it isn't distracting. Unlike many films where you can see things coming a mile away, Untamed Heart does so with joy and vigor. You can't help walking out with a smile on your face and an impulse to grab your significant other and just hold her/him.

A corny line . . . yes -- but like the movie, a good one.