The way FATHER GEEK heard it Ol' Quint was stumbling around the deck of the Orca on a dark and stormy night a short time ago after a few too many brews when he spotted floating out of the fog just within reach off the stern a large corked French wine bottle, a fine ancient vintage to boot. He mustered up enough balance and presense of mind to snare the rare and valuable prize. It was a true wonderment, a phantasmagorical treasure beyond mere words, it was the legendary MESSENGER in a bottle. Spying a comely waif secreted deep within the dark Emerald green glass he pulled loose the cork and set free the sprite to tell her tale of devine glory and dastardly deeds that he now imparts to you in his well meaning, but somewhat sea swaggering style...
Ahoy, there me Constant Readers. Quint, the resident crusty seaman in these here parts,is here once again, this time with yet another movie review. The movie in question? The Messenger.
My expectations going into this movie weren't gigantic. I have a whole list of movies coming out in the next 2 months that I'd pick to see before Messenger, like The Green Mile, Dogma, Sleepy Hollow, End of Days, and even Toy Story 2. Those films are pretty much guarantees in at least entertaining me, whereas a long, historical drama has the potential to be boring as all hell to me. I was still eager to see it, though, if for no other reason than the most excellent cast and a director that has never failed to put out movies I've personally liked a great deal.
It didn't disappoint. This a movie of epic proportions and it was just refreshing for me to be engulfed in a modern epic. This movie is and will be for some time to come compared to Braveheart. It's an understandable and accurate comparison. Both are epic films about uprising and violent, bloody, gory war scenes. Both feature moments filled with tranquility and good humor, then shift to war stuff. And both are pretty damn cool.
It's very hard to put into words the feelings I got from the film. I just keep thinking about how epic the film was, how many truly beautiful shots with wide lenses that seem to let in the whole word there were. About the amazing performances of John Malkovich (his second amazing performance in one week. Damn this guy's good!), Milla Jovovich (yes, she rocks. As far as I'm concerned the people who hated her in this movie had their heads up their asses) and Dustin Hoffman. Oh, my God was he terrific in this movie. His character is by far my favorite in the film. I've heard there's a best supporting actor Oscar buzz for this role and I'll be damned if he doesn't deserve at the very least a nomination.
I just loved the whole feel of the movie. Those amazing landscape shots, the bloody battles, the super close-ups in wide angle lenses, the flow of the story. Just the epic feel of this movie! I know I keep saying that, but that's what keeps coming back to me. We don't get these kinds of movies much nowadays. I mean the only movie in very recent memory that came close to being as epic as this, without being dull, was Saving Private Ryan.
Granted, some people will get turned off by the weird dialogue and speech patterns of some of Milla's rants, but if just that makes you hate the whole movie, then you obviously were going to find something in it you would use as a reason to hate it anyway. Some will think it's overlong, some will state historical inaccuracies, some will not like Milla. I feel sorry for them. I got to see a phenomenal film. I'm sorry some won't. But, Constant Reader, I hope you will see the movie as I saw it, a beautiful epic film that's entertaining as well as enthralling. After all, the whole point to go see a movie is to be entertained and have a good time. This film offers both. The near 2 and a half hours you get from this movie is a steal at a matinee price of $4.
Anyway, it's about time for me get back on the Orca and clean the saltwater out of the engine. If the cleanup goes well, I'll probably be seeing Natalie Portman's newest flick Anywhere But Here tomorrow night, then Dogma on Wednesday. If I do, I'll write up some reviews. Till then, farewell and adieu
-Quint
aicnquint@hotmail.com
AND now our newest staff member here at Geek World Headquarters, EL COSMICO chimes in with his views on this wonderful, epic film, but enough of Father Geek's ramblings... Take it away EL COSMICO...
What a wonderful year for movies, and here's another excellent work for us all to enjoy...a film I'm absolutely sure to add to my DVD collection.
I've been a fan of Luc Besson ever since the glorious SUBWAY, and while I'm not a fan of her makeup commercials, ever since I saw Milla Jovovich as Leeloo- "Leeloo Dallas MULTI-PASS!" in THE FIFTH ELEMENT, another Besson vehicle, she's been aces with me.
Key to making this a wonderful film was the fine use of music and sound effects and beautiful BEAUTIFUL camerawork...all at just the right times to create the proper emotion. The choice of scenery, and set design seemed wonderfully natural. I often feel that period pieces, attempting to portray long-gone environments, possess a contrived, modern feel to them. Thankfully, that was not the case in THE MESSENGER, as there was a great sense of authenticity to the sets, decorations, and magnificent costumes. I especially loved the armor and the trebuchet. Not at all distracting, just done with fine, fine judgment. Without giving it away, I also want to say that the pivotal moment of Joan's childhood is portrayed with such terror and shocking disgust, that it almost made me want to go slay some English myself.
Building on this solid foundation is the work of a thoroughly well-rounded cast. The French men-at-arms add a great deal to the film, all of them likable folks, adding both depth and a goodly lot of humor to the war campaign. Without them, the war would have been considerably less thrilling and enjoyable, and Joan's character becomes more well-defined as we follow her increasing contrast to the group.
I don't ever remember enjoying Dustin Hoffman more in a film, as his role of The Conscience is both disturbing and essential to Joan's final development as a character. In my opinion, the most difficult part of pulling this movie off was the contrast between the excitement of the war campaign, and the introspection and mystical meditation of Joan's spiritual conflict. Clearly, this couldn't have been done without the excellent performances given by both Hoffman and Jovovich. Hoffman also adds the troubling mystery inherent in anyone's encounter with the spiritual realm: Is this a vision of good, or is it evil?
All of the other performances are similarly good, each actor fitting very well into his or her role, not over-playing or missing the mark. Just right. Of course, it is impossible not to like John Malkovich in this season.
Milla Jovovich is destined to have a long career as an actress. Her choices and performances are both brave and, to the extent that I have seen, properly executed at most every turn. Her great accomplishment in this film, is that she genuinely has the manner of a woman possessed by a divine mission. One cannot doubt her commitment to piety, to seeking the will of her god. In fact, one of the things I enjoyed most about the film was the very great amount of sympathy I felt for the character of Joan. At every step, I felt that I understood her motivation, and agreed with her reactions and choices to them. Not an easy thing to pull off, as I am most definitely not a Christian. Nevertheless, my level of admiration for the character, and consistent belief in her inherent goodness, was the crucial and final component necessary to make THE MESSENGER a thoroughly successful and definitive telling of the story of Joan of Arc. This is easily one of my top ten movies of this year...not at all an easy task in one of the best years for movie-goers in recent memory.
Have I left out mentioning something excellent? Probably, but nevermind my omission, GO SEE IT, PEOPLE!
Also, go check out the fine MESSENGER website at: http://www.spe.sony.com/movies/joanofarc/
Hasta Coaxial,
El Cosmico
