Jeannette, l'enfance de Jeanne d'Arc

One of the worst films I have seen in years. Pretentious, vapid, poorly filmed drivel. For art film masochists only. My assumption is the only reason this ridiculous piece of trash got made was with a French government subsidy. Don't waste your time or money on this one, as I unfortunately did. Believe me, you will leave the theater wishing you could have the last couple of hours of your life back. Music is awful, acting inept, strange attempts at dancing, no visual cohesion, dialogue ludicrous and conceptually the film is a mess, Nothing redeemable, although I thought some of the wandering sheep were more interesting than the humans on screen; at least they seemed to have some purpose in their actions.

Very much enjoyed "Jeanette" / The Childhood of Joan of Arc. Both actresses playing very young Joan were very good. Right away, though, I need to state that I hope I can be forgiven for thinking that the first very charming actress portraying a younger version of the person, could not be surpassed, or replaced, by "an older version". For the first few minutes after, I mourned for "the loss" of the younger actress, while realizing that people -- including Joan of Arc -- do grow (agrandir, in French) whether or not one wants them to do so, also on celluloid. The actress who ably replaces the younger girl is, like life itself, something that sort of happens. Too, she is very, very good in the follow-up role.

This interpretation of Joan, a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, is quite intelligent, mature, thoughtful, and wise. Joan is suitably depicted as emotionally and spiritually mature for her age, quite athletic, and consistently attuned from a very early age to politics. Viewers will have their own opinions about the nuns, the sisters Gervaise. My own thinking is that the singing was in a French manner, projecting some things that are occasionally off-putting / antithetical / heretical? in terms of Christianity. Still, one should be aware that Joan lived c. 1412 to May 30, 1431, and the theology expressed may have been either the "zeitgeist" of the times, or that of the director nowadays. Either way, this is a movie worth seeing for aficionados of Jehanne d'Arc. One final note: When doing a film about Joan of Arc, I truly believe that one had better be French, or be very much immersed in the subject matter That being stated, I still feel sad for Jean Seberg, who play Joan in "Saint Joan". Finally, I very much applaud Bruno Dumont, the director.

I don't think it would be fair for myself to give a rating. Is it a good movie? Personally, I don't think it's that great. Is it bad? No, I chuckled at quite a few moments, but I can understand where if you are unfamiliar with the native language, some of the humor can get lost. There is a constant reminder of Joan being a tom boy. This is referenced cause of the french language, words are said with gender specified, and even some of Jean's most important people in her lives would slip to use the male gendered words to describe Joan. Even Joan would be conflicted herself. This would be equivalent to sarcastic, ironic, or dark humor dragged through the entire movie. Very much a trend I can see a cult following enjoying, given they understand the language. Unfortunately, the translated subtitles didn't quite hit the mark on conveying the sarcasm, or jabs. I saw this at sxsw few years back, I did walk out, only because I don't know french that well, and I knew I was missing a lot of context.

I had to walk out after an hour. Utterly unwatchable gospel preaching set to music and sung in semi heavy metal/semi chant by a child. (Seen at sxsw festival).