Product: The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (Region 2) (1999)
Rating: 3.0
Empty Greatness
Aside from the great battle sequences (two scenes of which never took place- Joan jumping her horse over the barricades and her use of her sword in combat---she was never close enough to do so) and some remarkably choreographed pageantry (the least of which was the anemic coronation scene) the movie was generated from an occult perspective; obviously a product of scant authentic theological knowledge. There was no rape scene (of her sister), and Joan was never without conviction regarding her supernatural experiences---and she used this quality well, being actually in command of the entire French army. Motivated by the Holy Spirit, she was never hysterical as is Milla Jovovich's character--frequently. Her "conscience", played by Dustin Hoffman was really a part Satan would relish as this character spread as much depression and suicidal hopelessness as it did sparse and dubious counsel. The direction of the film was extremely well done, as the scenes virtually leapt right out of the screen. The choreographic aspects of the scenes were also outstanding. These two dynamics were the two standout points of the film. The acting was also in the standout category with Jovovich taking the lead. A pity it is that a proper theological genesis was not applied to the screenplay; a vicarious fulfillment that would have made the film great rather than somewhat reminiscent of so many demoniacal matinees. The musical score was also outstanding but not all original, using or imitating at least one cut from Einhorn's Voices of Light, the original composition created for Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc.