La Fille de d'Artagnan

Though I am not a fan of French Cinema in general, I am a huge fan of Sophie Marceau. Ever since I first saw her in Braveheart, I have tried to find every movie she has been in, whatever country it was produced in. In "Fille de d'Dartagnan" (which was released on video under the hideous title "Revenge of the Musketeers")the beautiful Sophie plays Eloise, the daughter of the legendary Gascon d'Artagnan, who leaves the convent in which she was raised to foil a plot to assassinate the young King Louis XIV. Along the way she reunites with her father and his Musketeer cronies who aid her in her quest. This film is a fun,lighthearted swashbuckler, very much in the tradition of Dumas's original stories. It is highlighted by a great serio-comic performance by Sopie herself. Her role as Eloise is a refreshing break from her usual noble heroine parts and adds a new dimension to her repertoire. She isn't bad in the action scenes either. Though I found her amazing sword skills a little hard to believe considering the fact she only left the convent a few weeks before. Did they give combat training to novices in 17th century French convents? I doubt it. That little quibble aside, I recommend this film for fans of action movies and it's a must for Marceau fans everywhere. After seeing this, I can't wait to see her as the new Bond villain. It's gonna be a blast.

Bertrand Tavernier has turned to the past many times before in his long career. He has no trouble telling a story with period costumes and swirling swordfights. La fille de D'Artagnan is a lot of fun for the first sixty minutes or so, then the lack of any great imagination in the plot construction starts to be apparent. There seems to be a coded message in a letter stolen from a convent that occupies the minds and energies of many of the characters to the detriment of telling the story.

Philippe Noiret is great, but the part is so easy for him. Sophie Marceau gets to show off her splendid breasts. Jean-Luc Bideau as Athos is perhaps the most watchable actor in the proceedings; he looks really dapper in that eyeband. If you want a really fine film about pre-Revolutionary France, try Que la fête commence, which has Noiret in one of his best roles.

A blithe film, perfect for a wintry evening. I saw it because I have loved every Tavernier film I have seen. This one was an unexpected treat--I was prepared for something dark and moody, and instead got Gallic sunshine. The plot is about as serious as a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, but it really doesn't matter. It's all delightful froth. Twenty years have passed since the famous adventures of the Three Musketeers. The film begins with an escaped African slave and a mysterious raid on the convent in which Eloise, the daughter of D'Artagnan, has been raised. Quick tempered and bold, she vows to avenge the death of the Mother Superior, disguises herself as a boy and leaves for Paris seeking her father's aid. The film records the amusing history of her subsequent adventures and companions. The French do this kind of picture better than any one else--it's civilized, affectionate, jolly, self-aware, playful, and respectful. Sophie Marceau is luminous, whimsical and feisty as Eloise. I wish we could see her in more roles. Phillipe Noiret is perfect as D'Artagnan, moving and comic simultaneously. Over-scheduled Americans may fret at the pacing, but just allow yourself to be a little French--enjoy the tale, the lack of American style violence and the delightful performances, music, and sets. C'est tres jolie.

Only based on Alexander Dumas' musketeer tales, not taken from them, this movie still manages to capture the sense of fun and adventure that marked his novels.

The four older actors playing the retired musketeers who are drawn back into the fray by D'Artagnan's daughter, Eloise, will be unfamiliar to most American viewers, but all of them have that same kind of slightly naughty French humor that so many Americans love in Gérard Depardieu (whose Porthos from the "Man in the Iron Mask" would have fit in perfectly here).

And Sophie Marceau will charm the pants off of you - although her pants are about the only clothing item she manages to hang onto here. But she is saucy, funny and very strong.

The scenery, too, will enchant - the castles, the countryside, all are gorgeous and true to the time.

Yes, wit. Some fun with a slice of history (Tavernier is no fool, specially talking about history, Lyonnaise cuisine and music (do you remember the beautiful, poignant and above five stars 'Round midnight...yes, I like most of Bertrand Tavernier's films). This time he take us on a trip to the Dumas territory, the same way he did the trick with Dale Turner (Dexter Gordon in 'Round midnight), but this time it's just for a happy roller coaster. Great in the acting department and using kid gloves to handle the plot as the old masters used to. If you want to have a break of all the "fast and furious" of nowadays cinema check this one.