Smell the Movies
Smell the TV
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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| Year: | 1999 |
| Country of origin: | France |
| Director: | Luc Besson |
| Genre: | Slightly silly medieval epic |
| Starring: | Milla Jovovich, Faye Dunaway, John Malkovich, Dustin Hoffman |
| Rating: | 3/5 |
| IMDB link: | http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151137/ |
| Tagline: | No tagline |
| Favourite line: | "I am the drum on which God is beating out His messages." |
Luc Besson's epic recounting of the life story of Jeanne d'Arc - Joan of Arc to you and me - is a mixed bag of nails, it has to be said.
The battle sequences are very good, just as we would expect. Beheadings, arm loppings, medieval maces in the face left right and centre. And the acting talent can't really be questioned - Dusting Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, John Malkovich and, erm, Milla Jovovich. Yes, Milla.
And, here's the rub - she's atrocious! I guess this is what happens when you're married to the director. I'm fairly sure Monsieur Besson wouldn't have allowed any other cast member to put in such a lacklustre performance. Her religious mania comes across as 'Am-Dram', her battle cries simply seem silly. And, that's something of a flaw given that hers is the pivotal role.
Another gripe is the 'comedy' element, as the French soldiers josh and jape with each other in quite a puerile manner. Now, I've never been to war, and certainly never in medieval times, but I don't think things would have been quiite this light hearted.
Still, those complaints aside, this is entertaining, blood-thirsty fare, that certainly never lags in it's 160 minute running time.
Flawed, yet strangely entertaining stuff.
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