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Review of the film |
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| Once upon a time in the
country of Florin, Westley, a farmboy falls in love with Buttercup, the farmer's daughter. Too poor to claim her hand,
he goes on a journey to raise enough money for marriage. Unfortunately, the dread pirate Robert, who never
takes prisoners, attacks his ship. Buttercup, broken-hearted when she learns of her sweetheart's
death, swears never to love again. Years go by but one day, despite her wish to remain alone, she is chosen by
the prince to become his wife.
Yet, the very day of their engagement, she is abducted by three strangers, plotting to kill her on the
frontier of the neighbouring country, in order to start a war. However, a mysterious man dressed in black
and wearing a mask is following them closely... |
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| Enjoyable beyond measure, this is
a unique tale, both charming and tongue-in-cheek. It is enjoyable both as an adult and as a child. The former
will find it quite amusing and witty, while the later will love the action and the fantasy elements. Personally,
when a little girl, I reacted exactly as the child being read to: I found it very beautiful, exciting and was
even similarly annoyed at first, then charmed by the romance at the end. Never had I realised how little serious it all was until I saw it
again as an adult. Far from breaking the spell, this facetious tone just offers a new reading of the tale, as
you see it with older eyes. Few offer such good quality entertainment for all ages as this exceptional
film with a great sense of parody, and an even greater sense of courage, friendship and loyalty. |
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| Visually quite beautiful, the sceneries
enchanting, fantasy yet realistic. The actors are all absolutely excellent, saying even the most facetious lines
with great apparent seriousness and all their heart. The music, offered by famous guitarist Mark Knopfler,
is quite beautiful and fits perfectly the film's various moods, participating actively to underline
the feel of each scene. The story is brilliantly told. The film's narrative intrusions do not break at all
the flow of the story (contrary to the novel's). On the contrary, they increase the suspens and add some funny
elements, especially since as a child, you tend to react like the onscreen child. The dialogues are finely written.
The scenes of fencing are very good. The apparently conventional plot holds quite a few surprises,
maybe less to the mature
viewer than to the innocent unsuspicious oner. Once again, as a child, there are many twists that
you'd never expect, but I suppose adults may guess them easily. |
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