Product: The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (Region 2) (1999)
Rating: 1.0
Joan would roll in her grave (if she had one...)
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!