Ladyhawke

Ladyhawke

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Movie Reviews of Ladyhawke

Movie Review: A Romantic Fairy Tale from Richard Donner
Summary: 5 Stars

Hopeless as it all seems, they go on; and one day a young man enters their lives, a petty thief named Phillipe Gaston (Matthew Broderick), also known as "The Mouse," who through a twist of fate just may become their salvation. Joining them on their journey, Phillipe is able to bring Navarre and Isabeau, if not comfort, at least hope. Hope for a better tomorrow, when at last they may truly be together.

Romantic to the max and in every sense of the word, Donner presents this fanciful tale beautifully, and in a way that makes it engaging and timeless. This story is a vision realized, one that will surely touch the romantic in even the most jaded of individuals, because everyone has known this kind of love and longing, if not in reality, then at least in the realm of the imagination. And those who have ever suffered loss or have known sorrow will be especially moved by it. Drawing upon his own artistic wherewithal, Donner has crafted a film with universal appeal, tempering the romance with just enough humor to offset the drama, while blending it with a dash of action, mystery and suspense that keeps a thread of tension alive from beginning to end. It helps, of course, that beyond Donner's consummate skill as a storyteller he had a terrific cast with which to work, and with whom he was able to conjure and cast a spell of his own.

There is but one word to describe Michelle Pfeiffer in the role of Isabeau, and that is "Exquisite." Of beauty, grace, poise and charm; all of the above. She embodies all of these qualities and more in Isabeau, giving a sensuous and alluring performance that should have earned her resounding acclaim. Why it did not is anyone's guess. One possibility is that it had to do with the decade in which this film was made (it was released in 1985), born as it was in the middle of an era dominated by action movies and teen angst. Given the sensibilities of today's audiences, however, who seem to be embracing the more imaginative offerings like "Harry Potter," "Lord of the Rings" and the off-beat fairy tale, "Shrek," and in light of the unprecedented success of "Titanic," I feel an argument could be made that this film was some fifteen years or so ahead of it's time. If released today, chances are it would enjoy a significantly greater success. Indeed, it may yet find new life on video/DVD, conducive as it is to the tastes of viewers today.

This is certainly one of Rutger Hauer's most memorable roles, and he is perfectly cast as the dashing soldier, Navarre. Heroic and romantic, this is a character not unlike others he's done (he did a variation of Navarre this same year in "Flesh and Blood"), but this is the definitive portrayal. It's refreshing to see him in a role like this, as he tends to gravitate toward characters with a darker side, villains like John in "The Hitcher," or the anti-hero, Roy, in "Blade Runner." Here, astride his horse and wielding a sword apparently wrought from the same steel as Excalibur, he cuts quite a bold figure, enhanced by the depth of his eyes and a determined attitude, especially in the final scene in which he at last confronts his nemesis. And there's a definite chemistry between Hauer and Pfeiffer that makes this story all the more enticing.

As Phillipe, Matthew Broderick gives an agreeable performance, creating a character who is not only ingratiating, but who serves as a sort of conduit, moving the story along while offering some fresh perspectives on the situation at hand along the way. Broderick lends something of a contemporary sensibility to The Mouse, who is reminiscent of C-3PO in "Star Wars," as he adopts a rather wry and amusingly stoic attitude that makes his bemused soliloquies especially engaging. It's a solid performance, but one for which Broderick-- like Pfeiffer and Hauer-- has never received proper acknowledgement.

The supporting cast includes Leo McKern (Imperius), Ken Hutchison (Marquet), Alfred Molina (Cezar) and Giancarlo Prete (Fornac). Encompassing a number of genres, from romance to fantasy/drama to action/adventure, "Ladyhawke" is an ambitious, entertaining film that has yet to find it's audience-- or perhaps it's the other way around; because it's available and just waiting to be spirited away into living rooms and video/DVD players everywhere. Which is exactly what it will do to those lucky enough to connect with it, because this is one that will sweep you away to another time and another place, beyond the threshold of the here and now and into that land of enchantment, wherever it may be. It's the magic of the movies.

Summary of Ladyhawke