Fanfan la Tulipe

I have not seen the original of this film, but this version was O.K., purely regarding its entertainment value (intellectual stimulation aside). Perez is charming as Fanfan although Cruz's rather strong Spanish accent annoys me. All in all, not a bad attempt although I must not admit to understanding everything , as I saw it in French and history is not my forte...

Well well well, first impression: the room was quite empty for an opening day! That does not sound great for the Box Office...

And the movie: Let's say it's entertaining. For Sure. But that's all! Vincent Perez (Fanfan) is too annoying playing the naive guy. Penelope Cruz.. annoying speaking french with such an accent "Fangfang" Hopefully the supporting actors are great! Didier Bourdon is a Wonderfull Roi Soleil... and the actor who plays "de la Goule" is WON-DER-FULL!!

So in fact: let's say: 1* on 4 If you have 8 euros in your pocket for nothing..otherwise..wait to see it on TV.

This new version of a favorite classic was a great swashbuckler - lots of romance, lots of adventure and excitement galore. Vincent Perez was handsome and energetic... a perfect romantic hero. Penelope Cruz was beautiful and feisty - a perfect romantic heroine. The crowd in the cinema was especially enthusiastic when we went -some viewers we know went to see it several times. The period costumes were wonderful, and certainly the equal of earlier versions. The photography was also well done - the French countryside has never looked so wonderful! Knowledge of French is definitely helpful, as the jokes might be lost on those who don't truly understand the language.

Loved it so much I bought it!

My wife and I watched this movie while on holiday in France last summer. A great deal of the action had been shot on location in Montpazier, one of the prettiest villages in France with carefully preserved houses etc. As a 'thank you' there was an open-air showing of the film in the village square while we were there in June 2003. As it didn't get dark enough until about 22.30 there was time for a drink (or two) beforehand and we all sat in the square, under the stars. The film was a laugh from beginning to end.The most outrageous stunts and swordplay to make Errol Flynn look like an amateur. A special treat, of course, was to see images of the very buildings around us, the church, the market hall, and quite a few of the locals who appeared as extras, pop up on the screen. The whole film was tongue-in-cheek, swashbuckling, D'Artagnan type nonsense. Fencing on rooftops, jumping out of windows, kissing the girls, fighting ten men at once. What more do you want?

I'll admit we saw it in ideal circumstances, which bring back happy memories of a glorious summer. But it was entertaining and made for fun. Would I watch it again? Sure! (Especially with a glass of wine!) Michael.

I would like to inform first that I didn't see the original movie so I cannot compare this one to it. The movie starts out very good. It's very funny. The characters, especially Fan Fan and Adeline, are well chosen. Lightings and Colors are above average. Scenery is at least par. There are something to make me laugh or at least smile in every few minutes. The points of all the jokes are easily taken, even though I have to read subtitles all the time.

The second half of the film, however begin to go down. Romance, though is expected to be as it is, lacks built-up. When the movie needs to get serious on adventures (or at least in director's opinion), it could not deliver thrills it needs to deliver. With the comedy element's gone and no satisfying actions/adventures/thrills/etc, the second half could be considered a failure.

In short, this movie is a little bit beyond average. I enjoyed watching it. It doesn't have solid story, or throughout-the-movie comedy. However, it is the one nobody would regret seeing (unless you are critics).