The Horseman on the Roof
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Movie Reviews of The Horseman on the Roof
Movie Review: John du Prey - Classical Review
Summary: 5 Stars
The words, "I am breathing heavy, not because of the extreme danger we face, but because of you, my Love," seems to define this couche chevaleresque and demand audience involvement with immediate, audacieux consequences. Rugged passion con fuoco, as presented in this historical romance (setting: Aix-de-Provence, France, in 1832), is upon us (from Prologue to Epilogue) in Jean-Paul Rappeneou's epic film Le Hussard sur le Toit (The Horseman on the Roof). Within seconds, the screen is filled brilliant horsemanship, sudden danger from assassins, and two charismatic actors (in flight for their lives).
Unable to resist direct empathy, we can easily leap out of bed, unto a powerful stallion, evade attack at night by swordsmen, before Act I slips her silken covering upon our shoulders. We are never slow to react and defend our heroine (Madame de Theus, played with uncanny resolve by Juliette Binoche; her beauty alone elevates the film). Again, dramatic empathy of a high order prevails because the director's intent is achieved, to maintain sustained tension and danger without any diminuendo (needed); to ascend with the powerful crescendo to the denouement, into the major climax; which can be a true bodyguard experience for a woman viewer when her man does not experience fatigue (no matter what). In order to accomplish this tour de force, the motion picture must be filled to the brim with the unsavory liquor of adventure; in fact, it is consumed with a man's extreme loyalty to his Lady. Chivalry placed at her feet.
Even the reaction of our hero (Angelo Pardi, played with passion by Olivier Martinez) to the point of a sword is sensuously precarious, because he risks everything. Death may corner him, but a knight's chivalry is so within his grasp, he can outride, outfight secret police; leap past assassins (reminiscent of Errol Flynn in his best roles); and as her knight-guardian protect her throughout the day and night. We end the film with unspoken passion. Dramatic intensity remained high-pitched, uncompromising, unto the final words of our heroine. We are, I believe, less inhibited for a time after viewing this film. Our just reward: We are willing to ride a stallion in our dreams, now so affected by this film, its unrelenting action, and its stirring soundtrack.
Movie Review: Great film
Summary: 5 Stars
Two gorgeous actors, Olivier Martínez and Juliette Binoche, star in this beautifully shot, very romantic film. Martínez plays an Italian revolutionary fighter who is fleeing from Austrian spies/assassins. He ends up in Provence, where he encounters a massive cholera epidemic and fearful, bloodthirsty village people. Binoche plays Madame de Théuse, the wife of a nobleman. She looks gorgeous, almost like a French Julia Roberts. She also looks much younger than her same self in "Chocolat". The two actors meet each other at night after Martínez has been fleeing the village people for two days. A subtle, very charming romance develops between the two. This film is also a very good historical drama and history lesson. Even though I am a history and geography buff, I did not know about Austria's occupation of northern Italy in the 1930s or about the massive cholera epidemic of 1832. Americans, be glad you live in a country where cholera is very infrequently encountered.
The cinematography of this film is superb, effectively capturing the gorgeous scenery of the South of France. The script is not that good, but the acting sure is.
This film lasts 2 hours and is in French. Martínez and Binoche speak the language beautifully. Martínez also speaks excellent Italian in the film.
I only saw the inner two-thirds of the movie, having missed the beginning and the end. I caught it very late at night (5:20 AM), almost early dawn, and was not able to finish watching the film. I look forward to getting the DVD of the film.
Highly recommended.
Movie Review: Suffocating, yet mesmerizing...
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm sure it wasn't easy for Jean Paul Rappeneau to undertake a new film project after the onscreen poem that became his 1990 "Cyrano de Bergerac", a movie I personally consider a timeless masterpiece of unsurpassable proportions, even for its own creator. Yet in 1995 with the screen adaptation of Jean Giono's novel "Le Hussard sur le Toit", Rappeneau simply couldn't have chosen better. Rappeneau ended up not only delivering but fully complying to legions of fans. "Hussard" is a tremendous movie. Suffocating, for the thick scenes of widespread death depicting a tremendous cholera epidemic sweeping Europe at the time of the events (circa 1830). Magical, for setting up a captivating story within the impressive historical background of multiple political and social turmoils erupting all accross a convulsed continent in times of change. Mesmerizing, for how a moving and almost impossible love story unfolds within such tragic scenarios, just as the most delicate embroidery can only be viewed when you hold the genre against the light. Juliette Binoche's magnificent rendition of Pauline de Théus was expected, as the truly great actress she is. However, Olivier Martinez came as a pleasant surprise in his portray of Angelo Pardi, the utterly handsome Italian revolutionary endlessly escaping fate and destiny. The breathtaking scenery of the French countryside is the third leading character of this movie... and a curious fact not widely reported: the uncredited and brief appearance of, the one and only, Gérard Depardieu as the unexpected Commissaire de Police at Manosque!. Just a magical movie.Movie Review: It's lack of love scenes was not a minus
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is, first of all, something I don't think could ever be made in America. Why? Because America would want more action and more romance and more of everything that this movie has and "fails to deliver". I've seen some French movies that were poor and this one doesn't fall into that category. Part of what I liked about this movie was it's simplicity and it's honor. Yes, Olivier Martinez does come across as superhuman as everyone around him succumbs to cholera and he wanders unscatched from every death scene, but it made me keep watching, just to see who this man was and where he came from and what he was supposed to be doing.
I liked the fact that the movie portrayed Juliette Binoche and Olivier Martinez's infatuation in such a simple, uncomplicated way. I liked the ending of the movie and how they kept everything open. It was nice to see people on the silver screen facing "real life rejection" as well, which is something few American films fail to portray, if the candy coated glossed over version of the powerful psychological film "Abre Los Ojos" is any example. Tom, I'm willing to just pretend that didn't happen.
Anyway, you should watch this film, if only to sit there and grind your teeth and be frustrated over it. At least you are grinding your teeth over something.
Movie Review: Give yourself an evening far, far away from 2007
Summary: 5 Stars
Ah, how purely romantic! A dashing young Italian colonel, driven by patriotism (like my Italian grandfather, who emigrated from Trieste to England so as not to have to join the Austrian army - though the movie's time is before that great phrase "Italia irredenta"). A lovely young French noblewoman, caught up in the chaos of a cholera epidemic and who does not know if her aged husband is alive or dead. Chivalry, adventures, escapes at full gallop, pistol-shots, fights, betrayals, devotion. And above all, the heart-achingly beautiful landscapes of southern France, often with the snowy Savoy Alps in the background.
The colonel in his sacred, if somewhat rigid, honor, so bravely resisting all temptations, and the beautiful lady forgiving him for doing so...Finally, that versatile reviewer "Anonymous" has a great saying: "The ending is like a drop of honey on the tip of the tongue."
All the wonderful scenes of the early 19c towns and people and life...the splendid horses...and the cat! I want to know what happened to the cat!
By all means see this movie when you need to get away from our often rough and ugly world. Not that all was roses, back then...far from it. But the contrast is soul-soothing.