15 May 2013

What Becomes a Legend Most?

Based on the polarity of reviews here, I knew this was a film that would leave a strong impression. I land on the very positive side. This is a fascinating film- gorgeous in its settings and costumes, powerful in its depiction of medieval war, and profound in its exploration of the life of a paradoxical heroine.Milla Jovovich's take on Joan is an intriguing blend of shy farm girl, zealot, religious fanatic, saint, and tormented soul. There is some interesting casting here: Dustin Hoffmann is appropriately eerie as God/Satan/Joan's conscience/Joan's subconscious; John Malkovich, although perhaps a bit too old (the Dauphin/King was only about 9 years older than Joan), is effectively petulant and ethics-free. Faye Dunaway looks absolutely horrid, thanks in part to the bizarre attire and hair style of the time, and in part to really, really bad plastic surgery. A large supporting cast demonstrates the extremes that Joan provoked: loyalty, hatred, fear, and adulation. The criticism for the film's lack of historical accuracy makes me laugh. Some reviewers fervently deride some of the films events, as if they were witnesses to the historical reality. These events happened almost 600 years ago. Much of the "facts" about Joan's life come from testimony twenty years after her death, when her family was trying to reverse the guilty verdict. Joan was already a legend, and the testimony of her reality was certainly already tinged by her fame.If you want a 100 percent historically accurate version of the life of Jehanne Darc, find a time machine and head back to Doméremy, France, January 6, 1412 (or thereabouts-the exact year of her birth is not known). If you want a film that vividly and passionately tells a tale of a mythical legend, buy The Messenger.

14 May 2013

The Messenger The Story of Joan of Arc

Well as a student of History, this movie is to say the least, pittiful. The acting is so bad some of the fighting sequences are laughable. The young women who plays Joan, should go back to acting school, she only seems to have two levels crazy, and crazy screaming. The only good thing about the film were the sets and costumes.

13 May 2013

The Amphetamine Maid

Not only is Joan of Arc presented as a nut in this film, she's clearly tripping on speed: Jumping out of her skin, screaming her head off and delivering banal lines with halting, eye-bugging intensity. It's hard to believe that even the most religiously medieval French soldier would give this loon the time of day, let alone follow her into battle. Mon Dieu! Run awaaaaaayy. . .But I'll say this for the director, he's consistent. It's fast paced all the way through, what with boulders a la 'Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom ' getting hurled at the troops along with other JamesBondian gizmos making for cool technogore. Which, alongside Joan's motivation in this script ( Her sister's been raped by the posse of --er I mean the Brits) turns it all into an enjoyable comic book Western revengefest. It's 'The Quick and the Dead' minus gunslingers, set in 1429. Plus the scenes of her schizoid 'visions' are gorgeously photographed.But as far as the real Joan of Arc, the only major historical figure whose life and thought has come down to us through sworn court testimony---Oh well, in the first place she's had writers of genius like Shaw and Twain to balance this dramatization, and in the second place, as long as we're making films about protagonists who hear voices, wild battle scenes and trials for heresy it could have been much worse.How about: " Socrates, Herald of Hades! "(sigh)

12 May 2013

Great performance by Milla Jovovich!

The bottom line here is that nobody knows what made Joan tick. We can deduce from her actions and her trial that she was a very complicated young woman, but beyond that it's open to interpretation. Was she insane? - What about her predictions? Or possessed? - I for one can't even imagine what that really means. Perhaps she was just very impressionable and instead of monsters under her bed she saw angels? That she was well schooled in current political affairs I think we can rule out.The movie had several inaccuracies the most disturbing of which was the rape scene. It seemed to have been done to rationalize her motives and was completely unnecessary. (Save that for the rape of Boudicca's daughters or something factual, for the scene was effective, if loathsome.) Also, the last half hour of redemption, justification and explanation with her "vision" was utterly uninteresting.That aside, Milla Jovovich was brilliant and convincing. She certainly portrayed a very strong willed, confused and angry girl capable of controlling an army. The fact that she came close to tears at all the bloodshed didn't contradict anything. We can't forget that this was still a child in very unusual circumstances. Without Milla the movie would have been so-so.

09 May 2013

Different Point Of View

Just as most of reviewes said, this movie is not too "sticked" to facts about Joan D'Arc, but the value of the movie is not the historical one. It is the first movie that gives an atheistic point of view on Joan of Arc. In the movie, St. Joan was pretty schizophrenic and she expiriences religious trances from time to time. Dustin Hoffman as her conscience, represents the logical side of the story and he, in fact, represents the new, atheistic, analysis of Joan D'Arc biography.From artistic point of you, at the end of the movie, I had feeling that I've got too much explanations, although I understood the filmmakers allegation at the middle of the movie, trough excelent allusions that they gave. Every other aspect of movie is done excellent - the acting, the coreography, the directing...There are many people that will deeply disagree with the claims of the movie, but it is still interesting to see it and see what the "other" side thinks. For atheists, the movie answers exactly on the question: who REALLY Joan D'Arc was, inspite of some historical mistaces that are made in the story.

09 May 2013

The Messenger a different viewpoint

This is the best historic movie i had ever seen.This movie was a huge success both because it has a numerous and popular cast (Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Dustin Hoffman) and because it is well directed form an also popular director Luc Besson. When someone is watching this movie, instantly remembers a similar movie that had also a huge success. I am talking of course about "Braveheart". We all known that this movie had won several academic awards and I am looking forward to see "Joan Of Arc" winning academic awards too.

06 May 2013

A Beautiful Mess

(...)The story of Joan of Arc (or Jeanne d'Arc as they call her in France) is well known just about everywhere. Joan is a poor peasant living in a small village in France during the Hundred Years War with England. She begins seeing heavenly visions that tell her she is God's messenger to rid her country of the bloody English. Somehow she convinces Charles, the Dauphin with visions of being king, to give her an army to storm Orleans. Using unconventional methods she leads her army to victory. The Dauphin is crowned king and mostly forgets about Joan. She leads an unsuccessful siege on Paris is given over to the English, tried and burned at the stake, several hundred years later she is sainted by the Catholic church. The Messenger covers most of this relatively faithfully, and beautifully.Luc Besson is a talented director filming such classics as Le Femme Nikita and The Professional. His talent is presented here in his ability to create interesting and beautiful shots, but is lost in creating a cohesive story. He doesn't seem to know what to do with the story about the young saint. In parts it seems earnest in it's recreation of this revolutionary with heavenly visions, but then it sinks into near parody of itself and in the ends sinks towards a reinventing of the events themselves asking Joan herself whether or not her visions were real or mere psychosis.Milla Jovovich is a pretty face who has mostly been in forgettable, silly comedies and the Resident Evil franchise which might as well be considered a silly comedy for all its worth. Here, she has two modes of acting, a strange amphetamine delivery of her lines as if she couldn't spit them out fast enough, or a snarled scream as if acting was merely being the loudest person on the set. It is not a nuanced performance. For the entirety of the film she seems completely out of place.The battle or Orleans is tame at best. There are virtually no scenes of real ambitious spectacle. We are given nothing to inform us of her revolutionary forms of combat. Instead her method seems to be screaming a lot and jumping a horse over the enemies fence. Later the storming of Paris is so humorous it is sad. Joan screams and screams that she needs back up while a few soldiers randomly knock on what must be the Paris gates. These soldiers are so bewildered a pathetic looking they seem more out of a Monty Python sketch than a serious film about war.Beyond the visual elements the only saving grace is Dustin Hoffman's performance as the Grand Inquisitor or Conscience. It is a fine performance from a fine actor, but it is a peculiar character. He spends his time questioning Joan's own sanity. Could her visions in fact be some form of psychosis or fantasy? Could crucial moments in her life like finding a sword in a field in fact be simple coincidence? Good questions in the history of the real Joan of Arc, but they seem out of place here. Nowhere in the film are we led to believe Joan is nothing but the real thing. Why bring these questions into play during its climactic ending. The film would have worked much better believing whole heartedly in Joan's purpose and vision. Or questioning her visions from the beginning, a revisioning of the myth could be very interesting. Instead it kicks its legs out from under itself by bringing her into question so late in the film.What we get in this portrayal of Joan of Arc is some pretty visuals and a find performance from Dustin Hoffman. Try renting one of Luc Besson's earlier films and pick up anything from Hoffman's hey day in the 70's, they will be worth your dollar and your time far more than anything thing to be found here.(...)

justincward

05 May 2013

Pretty, but not very new

If the Americans and Mel Gibson can make beautifully dressed,nationalistic,dodgy battle re-enactment claptrap, why shouldn't the French? It's likeBraveheart meets Man for All Seasons at Eurodisney. Come back Ken Russell,all is forgiven!

zamwes

27 April 2013

failure

Wow, what a failure of what could have been a fantastic movie. The Legendof Billie Jean was better!! At least they had their accents right in thatfilm! It was hard to tell who was English and who was French, wheneveryonesounded like they were from the Midwest US. No English accents, no Frenchaccents, but I think one of the English guys had a Scottish accent,possibly? How about the scene where they are all smeared w/ blood aftershereleases a prisoner. In the next scene she's absolutely covered in blood!I had to repeat it twice just make sure I really was seeing it. Noticeshe's blonde in the beginning? After she's captured she's brunett. Thevoices in my head told me the acting was great, as was the vision. But Ifelt like I was losing it w/ all the flaws in the movie.

sloniki

26 April 2013

I am at a loss for words...

what is that thing I have just spent two hours watching?An utter disappointment.An ugly, absolutely not amusing caricature.A farce in the worst sense of the word.As a scholar of Medieval Studies, I can firmly attest that the movie calledThe Messenger: the Joan of Arc story, has nothing to do either withmedievalEurope or the story of Joan of Arc. So, if you sit in front of your TV andassume that Joan of Arc has never existed and is Luc Besson's own fruit ofimagination, this might not be an exceptionally disgusting experience.Especially, if you enjoy the type of women Milla Jovovich belongsto.Speaking about her, she might be considered a beautiful woman who likes tochange her color contacts much too often. She might be a talented model.However, she is not actress. At least, not a dramatic actress. Perhaps, shewould be able to succeed in a role of a contemporary prostitute. Or anundecipherable image of some fantastic creature who can hardly pronouncetwodistinctive words - like she was in The Fifth Element.If you like films about war, you are better off renting Braveheart orGladiator. If you like historic films about beautiful ladies, rentDangerousLiaisons with Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer. If you like watchingmodelsdo their best, tune into The Victoria Secret's show.You might consider renting The Messenger only if you want to see JohnMalkovich in a new role. However, even in The Ladies' Room he's got a farmore better part.

andrej.matjasic

26 April 2013

A great film!

I've seen this film once and I decided to see it at least once again and toobtain the DVD when available. Enough said?I found the movie really very good and "deep". It makes you think! A lot ofthinking... I am already amazed by the(hi)story of Joan of Arc, which of course is unique and extraordinary. Andthe film represents the major part of the main facts about her life,character, acts, etc., about mysteries, about people's thinking, feelings,believes... A strong presence of some special force, a connection to Godcould be felt...The music and sound effects are also great.Ok - the whole crew did an outstanding job. And especially Milla Jovovichwas amazing. I think this is one of her best roles. To conclude: for me: agreat experience and a truly good film!

25 April 2013

Dissapointing

Not very offen I throw negative comments on a film, but unfortunately this one doesn't deserve better. I really expected a better job from Luc Besson. While trying to be defiant and innovative, this film falls into historical incongruence. In order to sustain his picture of an eschizofrenic Joan Of Arc, Besson modifies or distorts historical facts and events already proven. For any person who knows and/or respects Joan Of Arc, or is looking to learn more about her, this is the last source they should look into. On another hand, the performances leave to much to desire, starting with Milla Jovovich, who overplays too offen. The only one who stood up to his name was Dustin Hoffman, a good actor in a bad role. To defy the common beliefs and standards in general, be it on Joan Of Arc or on any other subject, is always good, but only as long as such opinions are based on facts, something that Besson forgot in this movie.

25 April 2013

Too Long!

Starts off with great battles, drama, everything you could want! But after a while, you just want it to end. Interesting enough to rent.....only to rent.

jamas2856

24 April 2013

Great Movie

I think Milla Jovovich did a great job in this movie, just rent italright its great, also it also makes you think: whats your purpose inlife??I think Milla Jovovich did a great job in this movie, just rent italright its great, also it also makes you think: whats your purpose inlife??I think Milla Jovovich did a great job in this movie, just rent italright its great, also it also makes you think: whats your purpose inlife??I think Milla Jovovich did a great job in this movie, just rent italright its great, also it also makes you think: whats your purpose inlife??

24 April 2013

Horrible Movie

I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in a movie. This was historically inaccurate beyond belief. It almost seemed like it was making Joan out to be the villain. If you want to see a good movie on Joan Of Arc, see the "Joan Of Arc" movie that was on TV.

24 April 2013

An Excellent Film

The people that insist on bashing this film are close-minded, self-centeredmorons. First thing first, NO ONE REALLY KNOWS THE TRUE STORY. She diedover 500 years ago. No one that's alive today REALLY knows what happened.So all you people moaning and groaning over how this depiction wasn'taccurate, well, you can go jump in a lake, because you weren't there, andneither was anyone else that's with us today.How many movies exist about Vietnam and WWII? Are they all the same? Dothey all tell the EXACT same story? Nope. How about the story of WyattEarp? There are several movies about him, and they're not identical. Andthat's because no one really knows. To bash the director for showing hisparticular interpretation is simply ignorant. If you believe that everyhistory book is 100% accurate, then I've got a whole briefcase of Rolex's Ican sell you.Granted, the acting lacked in places, and the attempts at humor weren't allthat humorous, but it was still a good film. The cinematography alone wasoutstanding, and I thought it was an excellent angle to take on Jeann'slife. It was probably the best interpretation I've seen or heard so far.It explored all possibilities. But in today's world, we all know that shewas probably just a psychopath. Yeah, she led battles that the Frenchweren't supposed to win but did, but hey, who thought we'd would beat theEnglish in the Revolutionary War? Seriously, she was traumatized as achildand she went nuts, in all likelihood. That seems to be the mostbelieveableexplanation, anyways. But the crazies make the best warriors, don't they?:)

20 April 2013

Major FAIL

I had to stop after 15 min when the gum chewing mediaeval girls started saying "YO! DUDE! FER SHURE~! DIG IT!being somewhat facetious but thats how it was

killgore-6

19 April 2013

This movie like most of Bessons work is cp!

I rented this movie with high hopes(Missed it in theateres thankfully). Iwas appalled. I figured after that miserable piece of cr**p film 5thElementBesson would have learned something. Let me describe the moment that stuckwith me throughout the film(SPOILER) Joan returns to her village to find itunder attack by British soldiers. When she returns her mother lets her hidein the closet. As a result 3 British soldiers enter and begin raping heragainst the closet door. The one who is raping her gets annoyed with herfighting back so he runs a sword through her and continues while hiscomrades look at him dumbfoundedly. Now I know how this sounds but some howthis scene came across like it was trying to be funny! I was shocked. Ihavea sick sense of humor but even I have my limits. Basically this film isunintensionaly funny all through out. Future filmmakers can use it as areference for the don'ts in directing.

12 April 2013

Epic Film!!!!

This isn't another Braveheart nore was it intended to be. It is about anaverage girl who witnesses something awful which changes her life forever.This is yet another film to give us a visual about the worlds history. Joanof Arc was just an average woman who did heroic things. Which is clearlyindicated in the film. Also during certain scenes she acts confused and inthe end she was really confused who wouldn't be, she didn't want all thosepeople to die but this was clouded by her thoughts in that she proclaimedherself a messenger of God. In the end the viewer might think that shewasn't which is possible but with her dreams that she had those were just tovivid to pass off as chance. In my opinion she was a messenger, but one offreedom for the French. While in Braveheart William Wallace knew exactlywhat he was doing and what was needed to get done in order to free Scotlandunlike Joan who really got more confused as the movie progressed.Great visual effects, beautiful colors, and wonderfully mixed (sound wise.)This is by date the best sounding DVD out there with an extraordinarysoundstage with excellent front to back imaging. A must reference DVD foranybody. 5 out of 5!!!!!!!!!!

11 April 2013

Only movie I gave up on!

Having been interested in the story of Joan Of Arc since grade school,I thought I'd give this DVD a try.Good thing I rented it.. I thought the acting,etc, was okay,but the movie totally lost me when,shortly before a siege is to take place,the French ask the English to surrender. Their reply is for the French to quote"Go F**K Yourselves!",Shortly after the siege takes place,there is an endless round of "F" words.I'm sorry.I'm no scholar,but I don't think that,in 1420,that F word was even invented much less used in such a casual manner.. If you make a movie based on history,then keep it in a historical context.(Same problem I had with some of "Titanic"'s language). I do not recommend this movie to anyone.