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Joan of Arc is a famous heroine, but most people know her for only one thing: she burned at the stake. The Messenger, a movie directed by Luc Besson (director of The Professional and The Fifth Element), looks at Joan of Arc through the French’s point of view. The trailers promise fights a la Braveheart—while there are a few decent battle scenes, the movie is more about Joan of Arc’s dilemma: was she gifted by God or was she insane? The movie leaves the point ambiguous. After a disturbing rape scene, Joan of Arc decides to led the French against the English—her first objective is to speak to the Dauphin, played by a very young-looking John Malkovich. Malkovich rises to power, seems to like Joan for her morale boosting abilities and sends her off on campaigns with the French. After a few battles, Joan finds herself jailed by the English and set to be put on trial. While in jail she meets Dustin Hoffman, who could be one of three things: God, Satan, or her conscience. The actress who plays in this movie depicts the energy and unflagging courage the real Joan of Arc must have had (she’s the chick with the white thing on her body in Fifth Element). The fight scenes are “Saving Private Ryan gory,” the script well written, and the pace a little bit slow at times. Many people missed this film in the theatres, although I am sure it did rather well in France. A major gripe I have with the movie is the beginning—rather important text is presented in a prologue scene describing the state of France and England. It is printed in a tiny, impossible to read font over a map of France which left me pissed off. If I ever make a historical epic, I will have such text be placed over a black background so it’s readable! Joan of Arc would be interesting to Luc Besson fans, History majors, and people looking for a thoughtful Braveheart. I give The Messenger ***1/2 out of ****. |