Lady Oscar

This film is an absolute joke. The acting is so horrible that I got up during the film and went to check IMDb to have some entertainment from all of the scathing reviews I was sure I would find... Well, the critics didn't even bother to review it and the only published review was from a person who is probably related to the director or the producer. This film is so bad, I'm sure 40 years from now it will be a cult film simply for its downright awful acting!

To correct some inaccuracies in the above review, the anime "Rose of Versailles" came before "Lady Oscar," not afterward, and it was not targeted towards children. "Lady Oscar" is primarily based on the manga "Rose of Versailles" by Riyoko Ikeda, although it contains several plot differences from either anime or manga. The so-called "historical clichés" and the feminism the above reviewer cites are part of Ikeda's story and have nothing to do with the director of "Lady Oscar." I found the movie slightly disappointing in its variations from the anime and manga, but overall I liked it. It was nice to see the story of Lady Oscar presented in English, and I enjoyed seeing European actors filling the roles. Oscar's character differs greatly from her personality in the anime, but I found her much more personable in "Lady Oscar." I was disappointed, however, in the portrayal of Marie Antoinette as she was wholly flaky and unlikeable in "Lady Oscar" and lacked all the redeeming qualities she possessed in the anime. Also, the film overlooks the close nature of her relationship with Oscar as portrayed in Ikeda's manga.

I love the Rose of Versailles (Lady Oscar in West) original comics and was a pleasure to watch this movie. However it's necessary to say it's just for fans. When you previously know the characters and want to get in touch with an alternative point of view, it's OK, but if you take Lady Oscar as a movie about the French Revolution's or a cross dresser heroine, you probably would feel disappointed.

The work was not as good as it would be; some actors and actresses were not well chosen; main events were forgotten; and Oscar's personal drama lost force. But as I said, I liked it a little, because any Lady Oscar's product would attract me.

I only read the first few chapters of the Rose of Versailles manga years and years ago, so this review is not coming from the point of view of someone biased against this film on the grounds of inaccuracy to the source material. Because even when measured on its own merits, Lady Oscar (1979)is a weak movie.

It's a shame, because this is a pretty production. The 18th century costumes and lavish sets are wonderfully realized, pastel-colored and almost fairy tale-like. They contrast well with the squalor of the lower classes. Michel Legrand's score is lovely and emotional.

Too bad everything else is borderline terrible. The dialogue ranges between passable and cringe-worthy. Exposition is delivered via clumsy lines and voice-over. The story is epic in scope, yet it rushes through events and years, leaving us little time to get to know the characters since the script is more obsessed with racing to the next plot point.

The acting is not wooden or too over-the-top, but it is incredibly weak all around. No one seems to contain much passion or enthusiasm for the material. The leading lady in particular possesses too little inner strength or charisma to hold our admiration. Heck, she's supposed to be a military officer and yet she cannot mount a horse without aid!

I was disappointed with Jacques Demy's direction, which had little verve or flow to it. It was as distant and disinterested in the action as the performers seemed to be. The editing was especially clumsy and confusing at moments.

The worst aspect of this movie may be the characters and the way they were written. Marie Antoinette is made into an idiot. Louis XVI is antagonistic. Andre is a creepy jerk. And Oscar is unbelievably wimpy for someone so respected by the other characters. Her appearance and manner are also not as androgynous as they should be.

I think this story could have made for a solid swashbuckling melodrama, but as it is, this feels like a lifeless TV movie. While I feel there is a good movie lurking within this mess, the few good things there are cannot save it from mediocrity.

I've finally had the chance to watch Jaques Demy's movie - Lady Oscar. I waited so long to see it and i put so much enthusiasm on it that i almost can't bear the disappointment. As a big fan of Ryoko Ikeda, of "Berusaiyu no bara" and of the Japanese musical version of it, i have to confess: the movie HURT! The acting is so bad, the story is so cut, no fluidity between scenes ... and the end ... oh, that is really painful!!! Oscar is too cute ... no! better said: "sweet"... but OK. Marie Antoinette too stupid! Fersen .. where is Fersen??? So little appearance that i forgot he existed. Girodelle .. oh! ... disgusting! And was that brown haired girl really Rosalie? I think it was the opposite of her. The only character i can't comment on it, is Andre. He was (especially on the first part of the movie) ... he was Andree. He was human, real and acted well .. Pity he ended so stupid ... Everything in this movie have no meaning ... and some scenes are just ridiculous.