The Horseman on the Roof
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Movie Reviews of The Horseman on the Roof
Movie Review: The central motivation of our young colonel is chivalry and that is so refreshing.
Summary: 4 Stars
This film was one of the most expensive films ever made in France but it was worthwhile. Even with such a huge budget, Jean-Paul Rappeneau is controlling very well this epic film. Moreover, it shows numerous qualities which prove Rappeneau's confidence towards his film.
Le Hussard sur le Toit presents its audience with the grim reality of cholera-stricken rural France in 1832 and its effect on a journey of escape by two anxious visitors. The frequent images of corpses and mass burial are refreshed by the breathtaking and beautifully shot scenery, itself brought to life by characters that dilute the presence of death with an oxymoronic mix of comedy and despair. Carrion crows regularly appear, mercilessly flying around in sinister anticipation, their cawing beaks wide open with hunger.
Juliette Binoche and Olivier Martinez look great, and they throw themselves enthusiastically into their roles. The thing about this movie though that it's billed as a romance but you don't see it anywhere but just hints of it and feel the sexual tensions between the 2 main characters. One of the great joys of this film is to watch the handsome faces of Martinez and Binoche. The plot that kicks off the story rather dramatically is that of the assassination plots against Italian nationalists by Austrians who'd like to take over northern Italy.
The ending may not satisfy some, but it leaves us with the thought that somewhere sometime all will be well again which makes it such a beautiful movie to watch. To top it off, it was filmed in the French countryside which is so breathtaking that you could just watch the movie for the exceptional visual satisfaction, for romantics or action-lovers alike.
Movie Review: The Horseman on the Roof - Gorgeous, Romantic and Exciting
Summary: 4 Stars
The time is 1832, certain Italians are fomenting a revolution against the Austrian Empire for control of the northern part of their country. Some of the revolutionaries have gone into exile in France, where they are pursued by Austrian agents. What starts out as a an an action filled escape from the Austrian agents quickly becomes an effort to escape the cholera pandemic sweeping France. Further complicating matters are angry mobs ready to chase down and lynch strangers whom they suspect of poisoning their water, and avoiding French soldiers who have orders to round up everyone and put them in quarantine. (Quarantine being something you want to avoid at all costs. To be thrown in with the sick and dying is a nearly guaranteed death sentence.)
This is a gorgeous movie with spectacular cinematography of the French countryside, including a breathtaking fairy tale castle near the Alps.
The equally gorgeous cast includes Olivier Martinez as Angelo Pardi, a young Italian colonel, and Juliette Binoche as Pauline de Théus, a French noblewoman. Pardi is a gallant gentleman who would not dream of pressing his affections on the lady whom he is escorting and protecting. The distance he maintains only serves to heighten the romantic aspect of the film. (This is for people who find "Jane Eyre" a far more exciting love story than something like "Pretty Woman".) There is also plenty of action and several exciting chase sequences to keep things lively.
The DVD special features include scene selection, sneak peeks, English subtitles and captioning for the hearing impaired.
In French (and a bit of Italian) with English subtitles.
Recommended
Movie Review: Good Old Fashioned Adventure--a la Francaise
Summary: 4 Stars
Olivier Martinez has been called the French Brad Pitt. How about Juliette Binoche as the French Julia Roberts. Or is that not saying enough in either case?Well, whatever your opinions of the actors in general, they are perfectly cast in this corker of a romantic adventure. Perfect chemistry between the two stars adds to what already a good, old fashioned high spirited adventure film. They don't make 'em like this anymore--either in this country or in France.
In fact, when you think of current French cinema, you tend to come up with charming, but self-consciously post-modern works like AMELIE or L'AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE. That kind of nod-and-a-wink filmmaking has its place, and I have nothing but affection for those films, but there's something about good old school stroytelling that can be utterly enthralling. You're actually allowed to get caught up in the tale and to forget that you're in a cinema (or your living room) watching images on film (or videotape or DVD or whatever). What a concept!
I am unfamiliar with most of director Rappeneau's work--although I have heard good things about his version of CYRANO and the celebrated ZAZIE DANS LE METRO. He certainly has a flair for historical romance, so I am now eager to see his treatment of the Edmond de Rostand classic. Or almost anything else he's done for that matter. He appears to have a great visual sense (or knows enough to seek out cinematographers who do). It's hard to think of a more beautifully shot film.
Like most films, HORSEMAN ON THE ROOF is not for everyone. But for lovers of foreign films in general--and of real romantic adventure in particular--this film delivers the goods.
Movie Review: 1800's Rebellion On The Run
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a very good romantic period piece. The chemistry between Binoche and Martinez leaped from the screen. I found myself rooting for them to kiss, which they never did, even though she was married and he an honorable gentleman. But if romance is the major theme of the movie, it hurts the movie when their is no psychical contact between the two lovers. The narration at the end told us what might happen in the future, from Binoche's character's husband's perspective, but temptation on her part should have been expressed with more than just a look. The antagonist of the movie was the disease that ravaged Italy and France. The story kept me interested, which is no small accomplishment, considering I never buy or keep movies that I have to read the dialogue. I will keep this one. Adventure was a secondary character as we were taken to many locals through chases, hiding and despertion.
To surmise. I like this movie. Martinez was good as the romantic lead, with his stubborn resolve and sense of duty. Binoche was great as the determined wife who has resolved not to give in to her feelings for Martinez , while she searches for her missing husband. Not a new story , but the right actors and good writing can always make this story seem fresh. These are the right actors in a good movie.
Movie Review: A believeable tale only possible outside of Hollywood
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie was a rare treat to have seen on the big screen. It showcases Oliver Martinez (Angelo Pardi) and Julliette Binoche (Pauline de Theus) in this engaging tale of romance in the cholera epidemic of 1832.Rather then get into the specifics of the plot which can be seen in the myriad of other reviews, I want to stress how this movie was only made possible due to the supreme casting by Director Jean-Paul Rappeneau and Producer Rene Cleitman. The choice of Mr. Martinez brought this movie to life. Befroe his death in 1970 Giono said that in the belief of Neo-Realism that the actor be a commoner. While not at that level, Martinez portrays an air that other well known actors are unable to feign.
In addition, Julliette Binoche is able to work with him to the point where we are able to actually see Martinez grow throughout the film. All in all a fantastic watch and the upcoming release on DVD will hopefully bring a few more fans of Rappeneau into the mix.