Rating: 
Summary: WOW!
Review: I have seen the movie twice within a week, and will see it acouple of more times. I was shivering through the whole movie, it wasso real for me. ... how 'clean' Joan was. First, at the beginning of the film it turns out that she had been to the priest for the third time that day, to confess. Later on the knights do not understand her when she says 'I want to confess. I have not confessed ... today yet' - if your really pay attention, for the environment this is very strange. And, at the end of the movie, she confesses her 'crimes' again. What I want to point out that she had a very strong conscience and she intended to keep it clean. This makes her a candidate to be Saint - as she was given this title 500 years later.This movie IS about reality, the betraying of Joan included. This is what I liked the most (the film being so real). Further on, every split second of the movie is communicating something. If you watch closely, the faces, the looks of the actors, the music, are constantly telling you a part of the story, a message. Perfect timing features the cutting of this film. The conflicts are precisely designed. The actors are perfectly matching their roles. I admit, that the ending is a bit long, but basically it stresses the suppressive behaviour of the inqusition of that time. Milla plays just perfectly. In this version of the Joan of Arc movies she is what she is and that is it. Luc Besson had an idea in mind and she realises it. If you like Luc Besson, Milla Jovovich, Eric Serra, history, middle age, or if you are a rebel, this is a must for you. The more you appreciate art the more you are going to like this movie. Finally: this movie is fine art in itself, a classic piece. But you have to like the style Luc Besson paints...
Rating:
Summary: Milla vs. Leelee
Review: I own both Joan of Arc, and The Messenger, and I've gotta give the clear victory to Milla. I think Joan of Arc suffers from its television roots. The production values are fine but TVs tentacles extend far into this feature, sanitizing it too much. Joan of Arc is too clean, too void of grit. It is told more as a reverent fantasy, even choosing to link Joan's reality with the prophecy of the fictional Merlyn. I'll never get that one. The standout here is Peter O'Toole, who, after years of walking through roles, actually finds an emotional root here, and runs with it. It's his best work in quite a while. The weak link is Doogie Howser as the Dauphin. His performance is too contemporary, and very cowardly. His total lack of presence makes the role a black hole. Tim Roth should have done this role in both versions. I've seen Sobieski do better than this. Her Joan is made for the Hallmark Hall of Fame crowd. At its worst, the drama can seem too Highway to Heavenish. At no time does Joan not look pretty, and often she is bathed in Disneyesque golden light, as if we don't already understand that Here We Have a Saint. This is not subtle stuff. In contrast, Luc Besson's The Messenger is vivid, dirty dirty dirty, passionate, and ocassionally haunting. While Milla Jovahich sometimes misses the mark, her fervor is more believable than Leelee's. This is much more realistic, and much more impressive. I might have looked a little harder for a leading actress. No matter what Joan of Arc may have been like, she must have had presence! Think of it - a seventeen year old girl leading soldiers at a time when women were little more than breeding machines! That is not a small personality. Milla tries really hard, but she lacks that special quality. Still, she is excellent. In fact, it was my second viewing that greatly improved my opinion of Milla's performance, and I found myself often wishing for her interpretation while watching Sobieski. I challenge those men out there who own Braveheart and Gladiator to try this one. It has many of the same fine qualities. At least, that's the way I see it.
Rating: 
Summary: Horrible Movie
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A movie of incredible passion
Review: The movie did not make it big and many critics were really hard on it. However, I believe that this movie is one of the most fascinating of the last ten years (along the likes of Braveheart). Milla Jovovich plays with an incredible passion. She is completely transcended by her character and she is very believable as a passionaria. Her slavic nature makes it easier for her to play such roles as it is a passionate people (History has shown it over and over again). It may indeed appeal more to a latin or slavic audience rather than an anglo-saxon one. The character is driven by religion and a godlike patriotism towards her king. Even though that sounds very American (and that's probably why the historical figure is famous there), this is a behaviour that most French, South-Americans or Russians can relate to as they've been through countless revolutions led by such passionarias (sometimes completely unknown). Overall, an enthralling movie and if there would be just one reason to watch that movie, it would have to be for the incredibly realistic battle scenes.
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Joan would roll in her grave (if she had one...)
Review: Having been a student of and an admirer of St. Joan for many years, the only good things I can say about this film is that is is (1) grossly insulting, (2) woefully inaccurate, and (3)laughable. The raving maniac nutcase portrayed by Milla Jovavich bears no resemblance whatsoever to the real Joan, who was motivated not out of bloodlust or desire for glory, but simply out of love for God. It was Joan's deep and abiding faith that enabled her to inspire and to lead her country men; Besson's film in no way whatsoever even attempts to addresss that faith. Joan's faith was and is the key to understanding how she was able to accomplish what she did and to understanding how her story continues to hold so much facination for us today. For whatever reason, Besson chose to diss that faith (maybe he thought that such a "trival" thing would be too boring for modern audiences) and chose instead to portray Joan as an avenger-type (and one mentally and emotionally deranged, at that) who is bent on revenge. Sorry, either now or in the 15th century, I can't see anyone who would follow THAT type out of a paper bag, much less to war. If you want to see an accurate portrayal of Joan, I recommend sinking your hard-earned bucks into the Carl Dreyer silent classic "The Passion of Joan of Arc," or into Ingrid Bergman's 1948 Joan of Arc film. But as for "The Messenger"--return to sender!
Rating:
Summary: The Legend Becomes Human
Review: I believe that behind every legend lies a real human being, and a real story. The Messenger takes a stab at looking at Jeanne'd Arc from a realistic perspective. It does not look at Jeanne as either insane or a true divine messenger; the movie permits the viewer to make their own decisions. Are Jeanne's visions really sent by God? Or is she just insane? You make the choice. In this movie, Jeanne d'Arc is refreshingly real. She has doubts, motives - good and bad - and irrationality, just like any other being - along with her bravery and boldness. This Jeanne's France is not a fairytale land, but a real place with equal portions of dirt and finery. Overall, I would totally recommend this movie to most people - just not the people who want legend of Jeanne d'Arc to remain just that in their minds - a mythical legend.
Rating:
Summary: An Underrated Film
Review: This movie was picked apart by the critics and died at the box office. Why? It really doesn't deserve this treatment, in fact, I found it to be a stirring, cerebral epic with some of the most engaging medieval battle sequences I've ever seen, and a facinating peek into the nature of intense religious faith. Milla Jovovich does a great job in the title role. Yes, she's extremely erratic, but this serves to convey the feeling of overwhelming religiosity and sense of purpose...and, she's of believable age and appearance for Joan. The entire film has an undercurrent of tension that comes from the weight of the subject matter. Luc Besson has created a visual masterpiece, sometines looking MTV-ish, but in a manner that makes the period come alive for modern audiences rather than being distracting. Even though the aforementioned battles and action scenes are riveting, the best thing about the fim is the cerebral undercurrent. Does the Dustin Hoffman character represent the Devil, God, something strictly inside Joan's head, or all three? The interplay between these two is intriguing, as are the trial sequences, which were often lifted from the actual historical texts. All in all a very satisfying film. Don't listen to the talking heads, go out and form your own opinion. This film will become more appreciated with time.
Rating:
Summary: incredibly inauthenic movie of a great girl
Review: i think the producer of this movie should convince some other sucker that it has some value-i am returning it. i think it takes a lot for me to have cognited a movie is so bad only a fool would make or watch. despite joan's life being well documented by official records it was conceived in the recesses of someone's mind-a fairy tale. for example her mother was not raped or murdered, joan was never near death from an arrow she took in the shoulder. yes she could not read or write but what she dictated was extremely ariculate for example the letter to the duke of bedford in the city of orleans. not what we got in the movie. joan to me was much more articulate than the writer in this movie. lastly, based upon the public records i have briefly read i surmise she was someone who could grin once in a while and a girl of good humor and respectful to the future king. not some wild eyed screaming fanatic portrayed. there should have been some atempt to account the life of such a great life.
Rating: 
Summary: Harbinger of God....or Crazy Woman? You decide
Review: The Messenger is a very thought-provoking film. I was very surprised to see a movie in-which Joan of Arc is portrayed to be very erratic, obsessed...perhaps, even schizophrenic. However, her behavior makes you wonder. Where does inspiration come from? If you hear voices, are they good ones? If you think you hear the voice of God...is it God, or your own Ego? Watch this movie and contemplate the deeper meaning of who you are and why you do the things you do. The sets are wonderful and the message is power-packed. I truly loved the characters, even if I was a little surprised. Some of the supporting characters are just as interesting as the main characters--but, I don't want to ruin the moments! The Battle scenes are terrific, they make you want to grab a sword and go fight for a cause. This movie does an excellent job of revealing the Patriarchal Dictatorship of the church, as well. You will wish you could walk into the movie and knock a few heads together, then give a lecture about proper behavior amongst "men of God." This movie has it all...war, treachery, deceit, religion, good special effects...and a beautiful woman running-around in full battle gear. Things get very surreal, near the end, you'll love it!
|
