Product: The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (Region 2) (1999)
Rating: 1.0
Moan of Arc
I guess like most people who bought/rented this dvd, I am a huge fan of medieval flicks. Granted, most films set in this period are bereft of historical accuracy; Braveheart and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves being two obvious examples. But if the film is a genuine masterpiece then such concerns are - within reason - mere side-issues.But this effort from luc besson is no masterpiece - not by any manner of means. The rot stems from Milla Jovovich's catastrophic portrayal of Joan of Arc. If I was French I'd be mortified at the thought of seeing that nation's most revered heroine depicted as a screaching harpie. The character of Joan comes across as downright irritating and, quite frankly, ridiculous.What vestige of credibility may have remained was scattered to the four winds in the scene when the English Army refused to fight the French with Joan as their general. After all, this is the same band of soldiers that brutally killed and raped a member of Joan's family only a few years before (apparently): is it really believable that the rantings of such a derranged brat could inspire so much confidence in her men - and fear in the English - that she could lead the French to victory? Of course, this did actually happen, but in the context of this film its absurd...., you actually find yourself rooting for the English - hoping they put you out of your misery by burning the witch at the stake post-haste. This really shouldn't be the case, but it is.Francophiles and lovers of the Joan d'Arc legend beware: This is three hours of torturous tosh. Do yourself a good turn and burn this travesty of a dvd at the stake!