My Edwardian Review:
I wish I understood why Leo generates so much passion.....everyone it seems, either loves him or loves to hate him. I am of course, neutral, as I don’t do boys; but decided to put the little banner up there just in case you are Sleeping Beauty and don’t already know that you’ll get to see Leo doubled in this movie, even if you’re stone sober! And if that prospect is making you think that you might as well have a beer / martini / whatever to go along
with it.... well, I’d advise against it; because for the first two-thirds of the movie, if you so much as blink, you’ll be running the risk of missing Edward! 
And that would be a real shame, because he looks absolutely dashing in his musketeer uniform and that’s not all.... His character does not have a lot of screen time but he does get to have a pivotal (and very romantic, I should add) role towards the end of the movie. He has two of the most memorable lines: ”Magnificent valor” and “All my life, all I ever wanted to be was him" (he’s referring to the dying D’Artagnan). It’s worth it just to hear
the intensity and the controlled passion with which he delivers these lines.
The rest of his role is purely physical acting, which of course is a joy to watch too... he’s in sword-fights, on horseback, manhandling both Leo and John Malkovich (!! need I comment?). But Gerard Depardieu is brilliant in delivering comic relief as the bawdy, aging, discontent Porthos. Jeremy Irons and Gabriel Bryne carry their roles with panache and characteristic good, convincing acting.  If you aspire to intellectual snobbery, you may (probably should) choose to disagree, but this is a highly watchable and entertaining movie and despite the brevity of his screen time, I say don't miss it, if you haven't yet seen it and if you have, it's (Edward is!) worth watching again.... |
