The Messenger: the Story of Joan of Arc. I admit that it’s not the greatest movie ever made, but it does have Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway, and it is well acted, and covers an epic story in a refreshing new way. Yet our cable guide gives the movie 1-1/2 stars (out of four). I mean, heck, it gives Eat Your Heart Out 2 stars!
Do other people think it’s that bad? Am I the only one who likes it? I would give it at least 2-1/2, and probably 3.
I have watched it twice. Just to catch something I might have missed the first time. I was very disappointed in the movie, particularly the ending. I think a lot of people would have had a hard time with her conversations with Dustin Hoffman. Was she mad, crazy or what? Maybe I wanted more of a drama queen ending, instead of what was probably a more factual ending. Still, I think it should have rated 2 stars. Lot of good actors, decent battles, and just enough suspense to keep you interested.
I certainly enjoyed seeing it. While it’s not a movie I’d watch again, it’s not in the one and a half stars category. Far worse movies have rated higher.
I agree, it seems about 2 or 2 1/2 stars out of 4.
The war part of the movie is what turned me off. The hacked body parts effects seemed to be right out of Monty Python and The Holy Grail. The “this crazy woman, she’s driving me NUTS!!” dynamic between the military leaders and Joan and Joan’s huffing around like she’s in a pre-menstrual hormonal storm - it almost seemed like comedy, but comedy seemed inappropriate. It was like the director (who’s movies I generally like) couldn’t make up his mind whether to play it straight or make it a comedy. I really had high hopes for it, too.
I had low hopes for it, mostly because of the thrashing it got critically. But, I’m a fan of Besson and (especially) Milla, so I had an open mind.
And I liked it. While it’s no Léon or La Femme Nikita it was still worth seeing.
3 out of 4 stars from me.
I’d have trouble granting it even one and a half.
Faye Dunaway was wasted, and while Dustin Hoffman was good his scenes seemed to belong to a different movie. The opening sequence was needlessly sadistic.
And in between we have Milla Jovovich…the greatest talent since Jean Seberg.