Belizaire the Cajun

Rating:
Summary: An Unknown, First-Rate Movie
Review: I bought the VHS tape of this movie years ago on the recommendation of a person I met in a small Cajun town in Louisiana. It was hard to find then and I'm not sure the VHS version is even available now. But the movie just came out on DVD and the price was right. It's just as interesting as when I saw it the first time. The DVD transfer is better than acceptable and easy to watch.

The movie takes place in Louisiana just before the Civil War. Anglo vigilantes are riding at night to force out the Cajuns, whom they consider undesireable. Belizaire Breaux is a healer and a fast-talker. In the opening we watch him talk the local priest into reducing a penance. He's also honorable, in his way. A Cajun woman he has always loved has married one of the Anglo leaders of the vigilantes. Some people are killed, Belizaire is falsely accused, justice -- through Belizaire's quick thinking and fast talking -- wins out. A great scene is Belizaire on the scaffold with the noose around his neck giving out his charms and potions to the sympathetic crowd, and in the process makes the murderer come forth.

Armande Assante as Belizaire does a great job. In fact, the whole cast does. They look and act like real people, and real Cajuns. A lot of them were. This was Glen Pitre's first full-length movie, as far as I can tell, and was made on a shoestring with help from Robert Redford and Robert Duvall. And it promptly disappeared from sight as soon as it was released.

If you're fond of Cajun life and music, enjoy a good story, and want to get a better glimpse of Cajun history, this is a movie well worth having.

Rating:
Summary: Rediscover a forgotten piece of American history
Review: In all of American history you will be hard-pressed to find a culture that is as colorful or as mysterious as that of the Cajun people. It would be an even more difficult task to find a film that captures that culture in such vivid detail.

With a brilliant mix of comedy, drama, mystery and romance, this movie deserves to take its place among the classics. Armand Assante gives a commanding performance in the title role, assuring that Belizaire will be remembered as a permanent and endearing character in American folklore.

Rating:
Summary: All time favorite
Review: Never in my life have I ever enjoyed a movie as much as this one and I am glad to finally have my own copy. Armand Assante shines as Belizaire and never a sexier man can be found in this role. There could be no other Belizaire. Taught me a lot of history (since I have a Canadian background) and introduced me to some wonderful music in Beausoleil. Wonderful unrequited love story told many times in other genres but never so beautifully as here. I enjoy the film for its story, its actors and the beautiful photography and music. I cannot stress strongly enough for those who haven't seen it to watch it. It will head their top 10 list as it does mine.