Bit of a doughnut

Rating: 9/10 (10 June 1999)

I thought the middle section of the film was a let-down. The opening (Mary's death, Norfolk's attempts to have E killed) was strong, as was the closing third, but the entire "who-shall-she-marry" sub-plot was badly handled and slipped into farce. The costumes and scenery were terrific, and the acting (the leading parts) was excellent, but Cantona was out of his depth and Vincent Cassel as Anjou was a joke. Fanny Ardant as Marie de Guise was splendid and they should have made more of her role.