Le Prince du Pacifique (2000) - film review

In 1918, Captain Alfred Morsac arrives at Fuen Poerava, an island paradise in the Polynesian archipelago.  His mission is to form a battalion of riflemen from the native population to fight in First World War.  He encounters a tribe of warriors who are in the power of Lefebvre, a disreputable man who uses them as slave labour in the nickel mines.  Morsac also befriends Reia, the child prince of the island, who sees him as the man who will liberate his people.  Reia’s mother does not share this view.  Instead, she sees Morsac as a bad man who brings no good to the island...

Despite its sumptuous location and a budget to match, Le Prince du Pacifique is evidently one of those flashy productions whose appeal evaporates within about five minutes of the opening credits.  Alain Corneau’s first attempt at a comedy is a total misfire, let down by a completely chaotic screenplay and some needlessly over-the-top performances from the principal cast (who should know better).  Had Corneau directed the film as a straight drama it might have had some impact.  As it is, the film is charmless, tedious and puerile.

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