Movie Number 16 of 2024
The Movie: The Three Musketeers: Part 1: D'Argtagnan
The Cinema: Palace Cinema, Balwyn.
Stars: 4
And now for something a little different. With all of the decent looking new films coming out in the next few weeks, Jay and I were looking for something to watch. Jay wasn't interested in the John Galliano documentary, but we found this. A French action film. Who knew?
And yes, the film is in French, with subtitles, but, as a lover of French cinema, it was a change to see an action film, in French, with elite French actors, having a lot of fun. And of course, it was set in the 1600s.
Such fun.
The story starts with D'Artagnan (Francois Civil) on his way to Paris to become a musketeer. On the way he gets into a skirmish, is buried for dead - but he's really okay. He finally gets to Paris to find out that all is not as it seems. Becoming a musketeer is a process, and in this process he managed to piss of Athos (Vincent Cassel), Portos (Pio Marmai) and Aramis (Romain Duris) who are after his blood, but he manages to save, so D'Artangnan is taken on as their mascot.
In the background, the Queen (Vicky Kreips) is having an affair with the Duke of Buckingham, the King (Louis Garrel) is suspecting something, and the Cardinal de Richelieu wants to take over the country by bringing the king to decide on war.
Oh, yes, and there is some romance as D'Artagnan fall for the queen's maid, Constance (Lyna Khouri), which doesn't make much sense as the maid is always found in places she shouldn't be seen, but hey,. it's the 1600s - maybe maids got to go all over the place. Okay, this bit didn't ring true, but the actress is so pretty, she'll be forgiven anything.
And then there's the mysterious Milady, played by Eva Green
This is a really enjoyable film. The action scenes, which involve lots of things blowing up and sword fights are wonderfully done. Martin Bourboulon's direction is fast paced, fun and on the mark. I also loved the cinematography and settings, showing a very different Paris to what we are used to seeing. Although sumptuous, it's dirty and grimy and rough around the edges - probably a lot more like it actually was in the day.
In all, this is a fast paced, well-acted, enjoyable film, and as Jay pointed out, the subtitles were clear and easy, and as a fledgling French speaker, I could understand a good proportion of the dialogue.
And even better - there's a second part to this entitled The Three Musketeers: Milady, which is also out, you just have to find it. I'll ignore the fact that Milady did a swan dive from the White Cliffs at Dover near the end of the film.
This is great fun. Comes recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment