Product: The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (Region 2) (1999)
Rating: 5.0
What is left to say? Criticism about Criticism + DVD Review
Yeah, what? That we have gone so far? It's that democracy? Ok, everyone has different thougts and opinions about historical persons, but why then you don't say honestly 'Shame on you, Besson, it's not my imagination of Joan!'? And the same shame on official critics - you don't like Besson, you don't like reality and etics in entertainment, becauce you can't eat popcorn then during the movie - and you better singing one song - our Joan is better than your Joan (reference to US mini-series, I can't judge that movie, because I haven't seen it yet). So, what is this! Personally I wonder how powerful are official critics in US - it's looks like only very few people nowadays has personal decision to watch or not to watch in america. Ok, so far about culture of criticism (Don't take me wrong, I'm also not so right sometimes, but I'm trying to avoid this). About other arguments for or against... It's seems that movie is plaqued by Besson's antifans out there. In fact, he tried to avoid this. I can rewrite all history how he tried to make this movie more comprehensible for larger group of watchers, you must get this info first. Critics in US actually already knew, that they will ridicule this movie before official release. Why? Because of the same old problems - Besson's conflict with US movie industry. At start, he wanted to be producer of this movie. But call in director (woman, forgot her name) didn't like even 'sweeter' version of Messenger. She came back to US and already prepeared place for stake for this movie. Then Besson desided to make this movie a masterpiece as he wants, not a hybrid of art and sweet entertainment. Okey, okey... who reads it skips on this. You are more interested about my thougts about movie, right? Go on. I will review DVD and in same time one paragraph about idea of movie. First, personally who like this movie, buy DVD version now (I suggest International Extended)! Perfect picture, sound, lot of add-ons, nothing more to add and nothing to take away! Personally I'm very happy, because I see that it's sells rather well. DVD International Extended version includes full version of movie, how I saw it in cinema, widescreen (it's rulles), Anamorphic Video, Subtitles in English (sometimes voices are so silent :)), some trailers for movie and other titles and impressive documental about how they made this miracle. Ups, also Isolated Music Score (You can turn it off). But... where is my opinion about movie? First, I must remeber some guys that no one movie, nor just documental, simply CAN'T BE TRUE AS WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND. These speaks about historical inacuracy is something like fig-leaf for those who simply didn't catch it or simply didn't like Besson's version (that's normal, but then say honesly - don't like it. point). There can't be historical acuracy if we speak about real person who lived about 550 years ago, even so difficult and so 'legenda' as Joan. Besson tried to be honest, but it's seems that to be honest and to show people what they want to see is almost inpossible. That's why there are such stupid things like heorism and legendarism in our society. We can only try to imagine history, but by rules - try to create that feeling of middle ages, those situations, battles, not to simply follow 'historical accuracy'. Second, Besson is still faithful to ideas of humanity. He done it in '5th Element', he done it again in 'Joan or Arc'. Yes, how lot of positive reviewers pointed out, Joan in Besson's version is a Human. Human can look like mad, saint, it can cry, hope, blame, feel hate, despair, everything you can imagine. Sadly, it's seems to me that most of negative reviewers simply waited for another empty, blood and glory epic movie, done by hollywood standarts. In this case, i can join their resume - there is nothing in such way. They don't want human feelings, they want to see Trueman's Show. And in the last, Besson plays a trick with watchers in positive meaning - he make us understand that no one can escape from inner fight, pain, doubts. Mostly I think lot of people didn't like that way how 'weak' is human, when it's suffers from pain, sorrow, what later turns to hate, that there is one, easy step from clear mind to crazyness (something alien and must be wrong, right? - ironical ps)...At final - best movie I have ever seen (by both means - ideological and cinemathographical). Suggested for everyone, even if you think you won't like it. Give it a try!I can give marks: Visual looking & effects - 10 of 10 (there's NO computer effects, trust me, only visual fx) Acting - 9 of 10 (Milla - you are better actress than model! I hope you will shine soon in some other movie also; Hoffman - nothing to say, he has two Oscars :)) Sound & Music - 10 of 10 (One word: Sierra) Idea - judge yourself, I'm giving 11 of 10 :)))It's my heart seeing...what it wants to see...P.S. Don't judge me about my faulty Engish, simply it's because of emotions.