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| Directed by Luc Besson; Starring Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman, Pascal Greggory, Vincent Cassel, Tchéky Karyo, Richard Ridings, Desmond Harrington, and Timothy West |
I have stood behind the director Luc Besson for what seems like ages. Even when critics were lambasting The Professional (European Title: Léon) I was giving him credit as an able filmmaker. I think that the first time I took to the corner with Besson was with his 1985 French film Subway. It was not until five years later that he would become well known in America with La Femme Nikita. His last film, The Fifth Element, was far from his best, but still it was very well directed (the fight scene paralleling the aria is still a favorite action scene of mine). That half-ended credit is not nearly as present with his new film, The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. Sure there are moments when he shows his directorial prowess, but for the most part it seems like he is attempting to direct the film like Stone did with Natural Born Killers.
The film is about the historical martyr of Joan of Arc. Her bout with the English on the battlefield and then with those Catholics she fought for in the courtroom has been done a multitude of times in film history, most notable The Passion of Joan of Arc. Here model Milla Jovovich takes on the role of Joan. She takes images she sees as being messages from God and goes to the uncrowned King Charles VII of France (Malkovich) with a message that she is to be given an army and fight for him against the English in Orleans. She is given an army and proves herself on the battlefield. When Charles is crowned after the win, he sees no use in having anymore violent battles with the English and conspires to get Joan out of the way. When she is arrested by the English, she finds herself under the looking glass of the church for heresy and witchcraft. and must also deal with her conscience (Hoffman) taking over.
The whole film is a mess at times. But I still thought it had its moments. In fact I thought that it had a terrific final half. Once Dustin Hoffman comes in, the film skyrockets, but it is a long journey before Hoffman even appears. The first hour and a half, only works when its on the battlefield. When everything is calm, the film falters, like the disturbingly bad scenes between Jovovich and Malkovich (at which time, the only saving grace is Dunaway).
Jovovich gives a valid attempt at Joan, but I think that she is incapable of such tremendous dramatic parts so early in her career. Maybe she should stick to her silent film characters and her make-up commercials (and I’ve been told that she is also a pop singer). If I had my way, the part would have been given to someone like Cate Blanchett, who seems to know a thing or two about playing women responsible for things larger than they think they can handle.
After seeing him play himself in Being John Malkovich, Malkovich seemed out of place throughout. I think that the his part in Being John Malkovich was far from a mistake, its just that his part in The Messenger was a mistake. He has shown himself as a good actor in dramas and action films, so now it is time for him to spend a little while in comedies.
All in all, The Messenger is a disappointment. Still I could actually see myself seeing it again simply for its mesmerizing second half.
