Queen Margot (1994)

VERY GOOD FILM

I'm not up on this period of history so I had to keep playing certain portions of the movie over and over. But it is a well-acted and sumptiously film vehicle. I had some trouble remembering which one of Margot's brother's were which and who was fight who. It's hard to watch such an action-filled film and have to read sub-titles too. But I eventually figured everything out and went on a great ride. There's much innuendo about incest which went over my head but since the possibilities were not central to the story, it mattered not. Isabelle Adjani is exquisitely and panssionate as Margot. The sets and costumes are lush and the cinematography superb. I have to go brush up on this period of history - I hope it is as frightening and interesting as this film portrays it here. August 3, 2008

Unforgettable

I've seen this movie three times; it is one of my favorite historical films. And it really puts the kibbosh on any romantic yearnings for medieval times! Harsh, brutal, bloody and absolutely believable, even if it does take some liberties with facts, who cares? This is a film review site, not a place to quibble over historical accuracies/inaccuracies, and it was based on the novel by Alejandre Dumas, key word being "novel". This film is an artistic masterpiece all around, from the costumes, set designs, acting and execution of the plot. And it is the reason why I love movies. I am going to have to order it from Amazon now, so as to have my own copy! They don't make movies like this every day. I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up, A+, and an extra hundred stars. July 26, 2008

Patrice Chéreau's masterpiece

To begin with, the transfer used for the region 1/US version of the DVD is inadequate when compared to many other StudioCanal and Miramax productions on disc. It is NOT anamorphic and overall the "letterboxed" picture looked terrible blown-up on a 50" Panasonic plasma display. It's a good thing the story is so engrossing and the cinematography is so rapturous or else I would have felt like turning it off and waiting for a better release. Also, this is sadly a truncated and re-edited version of the original French theatrical release; this probably wont effect most people since there's enough sex and violence in this version of the film to satisfy even the most unenthusiastic viewer of subtitled movies. The sound however was quite good and I was jarred a few times by the intensity of the score pounding through my speakers. I only detracted one star for the quality of the picture and conditions surrounding the edit; the film itself is easily 5 stars.

Now on to the good stuff. (SPOILERS AHEAD!) This really is quite a stunning piece of film making. It is based on the Dumas novel which is in turn based mostly on historical fact. If you have an interest in French history (or movies about court intrigue) I strongly suggest you check this film out and read up on the actual events before or after so you are clear on which creative liberties were taken with the material. The acting is uniformly superb: Jean-Hugues Anglade's King Charles IX is so tragic and pathetic that it's hard to not feel sympathy for his manipulated (and manipulating) character; Daniel Auteuil shines again (as usual) as Henri de Navarre, the eventual "Henry the Great"; Virna Lisi is perfectly cast as the epitome of evil schemers, Catherine de Médicis (looking like one of Frank Herbert's Bene Gesserits incarnate); Pascal Greggory as Anjou, one of Catherine's incestuous sons, can reveal more hate and contempt with a single look than most actors can with a whole monologue; Vincent Perez and Claudio Amendola are perfect as sworn enemies turned brothers-in-arms; the radiant Isabelle Adjani (as the titular character, Marguerite de Valois) is the sun in which all of these characters revolve. There are many other performances of note (especially the actor who plays the small part of the executioner who nurses La Môle and Coconnas back to health only to have to do his job and execute them later) and of course the Pièce de résistance of the whole film is the actual events leading up to and including the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. I highly recommend this film to anyone with an interest in historical/literary films and until a restored, definitive version of the film comes along this one is well worth the twelve to fifteen bucks.

Though it's hinted at in the end, it has been written that Margot "embalmed la Môle's head and kept it in a jewelled casket" to (as she says in the movie) "preserve his beauty"... June 29, 2008

Confusion...

French film with English subtitles. Set in France in the 16th century. Margot, is the daughter of Catholic Queen Catherine de'Medici. Catherine, who lusts to acquire power, arranges for Margot to marry a Protestant prince in an effort to reconcile relations with the Protestants (and consolidate her power base). The farcical marriage takes place but Margot does not love Henri (the Protestant Prince) and begins a passionate affair with a Protestant soldier. Catherine also schemes to bring about the the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572, when thousands of Protestants are slaughtered. Revenge plotting and murders follow.

Outstanding acting by Isabelle Adjani who plays Margot. Beautiful cinematography and camera work capturing Margot's close-ups and rendevous', the stabbings, the rapes, betrayals and massacres.

However, this film wasn't for me. Film opens with the introduction of a large number of characters - none of which were adequately explained or developed - who's who? Who's on who's side? Who's related to who? What's behind their motives? Eventually you wade through to assume the answers but have to work quite hard to get there.


June 14, 2008

Through the eyes of a Humanist

Margot" was well done technically and as realistic as much of the massacre was portrayed, it left this amateur historian empty. After viewing the provocative film, "appalling" best described my initial visceral reaction. A genuine attachment to any of the characters would have given the story so much more depth and impact. I felt the story lacked a genuine human edge, which would have balanced any need for a background In French History. Caring about the characters and understanding the climate that would allow such an atrocity, would have made the film so much more powerful.

This time period was also akin to the France that Dickens described as the "best of times and the worst of times". More of the best was needed in order to understand or appreciate the true loss of life and liberty.

The movie did peak my curiosity and outrage, which led to further research. I discovered so much more to the story, including my own Huguenot heritage. Soon I was passionate to write a different story, not merely from a religious or political viewpoint but through the eyes of a humanist-- a womanizing artist who soon finds more than the nudes he captures on canvas, when he finds love that changes his life and when he stands with other brave hearts in a fight for life and civil liberty. It's inspired by a true story of the unbridled abuse of power and a tribute to all who know the true power of love and honor. So far, it's won 15 screenwriting awards and amazing reviews. Now, it needs an amazing lead producer. www.tllewis.net/rebirth May 22, 2008

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