Product: The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (Region 2) (1999)
Rating: 1.0
May St. Joan forgive Besson if she can
This version of Joan of Arc was a complete and utter disgrace. The apparent point of this movie is to depict Joan as completely insane and no real saint. So insane, in fact, that this character of Joan was completely unable to have a normal conversation with anyone. None of the other characters in the film have even a smidgen of respect for her. The closest thing to respect would be amusement to the fruits of insanity to have one's way. One goes away with the feeling that not a single worthwhile human value was in place. A story of a traumatized and visibly very insane woman inducted by the elite of the time as a useful fool and then completely discarded in her time of need after literally saving France and restoring the crown. To add insult to injury, Jesus was depicted as demonic and hideous with bulging eyes, looking like he was in drag, covered in blood, and frightful. A brutal murder-rape was "added" to the story to make it known that Joan was not speaking to saints or doing God's work but a severely traumatized, very immediately visibly mentally ill person who ultimately chose her own death to appease her delusions.One must wonder what kind of corruption is behind this completely soiled and devaluing version of the story of Joan of Arc and this disgraceful depiction of Jesus.