Unknown to the illiterate Dantes, the letter will provide Bonapartists in Marseille information of pertinence to a possible rescue of Napoleon. In return for the use of his doctor, Napoleon demands that Dantes deliver a letter for him and that the mission and the letter be kept a secret. Assistance comes, unexpectedly, in the form of the personal physician of the exiled Napoleon (Norton). Dantes and Mondego are diverted to Elba on a shipping mission because their captain requires medical attention. Synopsis In the turbulent days in which France was transitioning away from Napoleonic rule, Edmond Dantes (Caviezel) and his closest friend, Fernand Mondego (Pearce), aspire to gain the same two things: the next captaincy of a ship in Morel's (Godfrey) Marseille-based shipping business and the hands of the lovely Mercedes Iguanada (Dominczyk). But why, given the realities involved and the need to make haste, does Dantes go to the trouble of moving Faria's corpse to Dantes' own cell-thus supplying a premature warning of the switch, and betraying the fact of the tunnel's existence? If he is recaptured, that tunnel might come in handy. After Faria is killed in a cave-in, Dantes arranges for his dead body to be found, then substitutes himself for the corpse, is carried out of the prison and finds his freedom. Footnote (read no further if you plan to see the movie) : There is one logistical detail that mystifies me. This is the kind of movie that used to be right at home at the Saturday matinee, and it still is. The various cliffs, fortresses, prisons, treasure isles and chateaus all look suitably atmospheric, the fight scenes are well choreographed, and the moment of Mondego's comeuppance is nicely milked for every ounce of sweet revenge. Director Kevin Reynolds redeems himself after "Waterworld" by moving the action along at a crisp pace we can imagine Errol Flynn in this material, although Caviezel and Pearce bring more conviction to it, and Luis Guzman is droll as the count's loyal sidekick, doing what sounds vaguely like 18th century standup ("I swear on my dead relatives-and even the ones that are not feeling so good"). The story of course is based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, unread by me, although I was a close student of the Classics Illustrated version. Rich, enigmatic, mysterious, he fascinates the aristocracy and throws lavish parties, all as a snare for Mondego, while renewing his love for the beautiful Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk). This middle section of the movie lasts long enough to suggest it may also provide the end, but no: The third act takes place back in society, after Faria supplies Dantes with a treasure map, and the resulting treasure finances his masquerade as the fictitious Count of Monte Cristo. Together, the men study the philosophies of Adam Smith and Machiavelli, and the old man tutors the younger one in what looks uncannily like martial arts, including the ability to move with blinding speed. Enlisting Dantes in a renewed tunneling effort, he also tutors him in the physical and mental arts he's the Mr. "I have counted them." Faria can think of better ways to pass the time. "There are 5,119 stones in my walls," Dantes tells Faria. Alas, by digging in the wrong direction, he came up in Dantes' cell instead of outside the walls, but c'est la vie. Faria has even more hair than Dantes, but is much more cheerful because he has kept up his hope over the years by digging an escape tunnel. A stone in his cell floor moves and lifts, and Faria (Richard Harris) appears. ![]() Condemned to solitary confinement on the remote prison island of Chateau d'If, he spends years slowly growing mad and growing his hair, until one day a remarkable thing happens. Jim Caviezel stars, as Edmund Dantes, a low-born adventurer betrayed by his friend Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce). This is the kind of adventure picture the studios churned out in the Golden Age-so traditional it almost feels new. The Count Of Monte Cristo (2002) Cast Jim Caviezel as Edmund Dantes Guy Pearce as Mondego Richard Harris as Faria Dagmara Dominczyk as Mercedes Michael Wincott as Dorleac Luis Guzman as Jacobo Directed by: Kevin Reynolds Written by: Jay Wolpert Based On The Novel by: Alexandre Dumas Sr Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller Rated PG-13 For Adventure Violence, Swordplay and Some Sexuality 118 minutes "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a movie that incorporates piracy, Napoleon in exile, betrayal, solitary confinement, secret messages, escape tunnels, swashbuckling, comic relief, a treasure map, Parisian high society and sweet revenge, and brings it in at under two hours, with performances by good actors who are clearly having fun.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |