Film Review
This insipid remake of a
1952
classic starring Gérard Philipe and Gina Lollobrigida was produced and directed
by the same team that brought us
Taxi 2
and it is clearly intended for the same easily pleased audience. Luc Besson's shallow
comic book humour decimates what would otherwise have been a pretty mediocre script and
Gérard Krawczyk's direction lacks the inspired touch that he showed
in earlier work such as
L'Été en pente douce (1987).
Serious enthusiasts of the French historical drama are advised to go elsewhere; this one is
for alcopop-saturated teenagers with nothing better to do with their time.
Vincent Perez does a pretty good job as the eponymous swashbuckling hero, but his
overly choreographed fight scenes look increasingly camp as the film progresses, to the
extent that you almost expect him to break into a version of the Monty Python “Lumberjack
Song” at any moment (well, it would explain Fanfan's reluctance to get married…).
Penélope Cruz's performance has the flatness and texture of an anorexic pancake,
although, to be fair, the dialogue she is given is pretty atrocious and would probably
turn a greater actress than she to stone. The one area where the film does just
about pass muster is its handful of action scenes - the fights are energetic and exciting,
albeit needlessly gory (in the Grand Guignol sense).
Whilst the jokes are generally
awful (and would even make an alcopop-saturated teenager cringe), there are a few places
where the comedy works well. Didier Bourbon gives an interesting - and entertaining
- interpretation of Louis XV, whilst Hélène de Fougerolles is divine in
the part of Madame de Pompadour. It may lack the panache, wit and intelligence of
Christian-Jaque's 1952 film, but this blockbuster remake does at least have a few things
going for it.
© James Travers 2005
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
In 18th century France, Fanfan la Tulipe is a young man who just can't help
attracting women. This state of affairs suits him fine - until the fateful
day when one of his more insistent female admirers, a farmer's daughter,
looks set to force him into the yoke of holy matrimony. The prospect
of marriage is not one that Fanfan can bear, so he willing throws himself
into the arms of a recruiting sergeant for the army of King Louis XV.
Military life appeals to the adventurous and impulsive streak in Fanfan,
who, putting too much credence in a gypsy's prophecy, has convinced himself
that one day he shall marry one of the king's daughters. Fate certainly
seems to be nudging him in this direction. By driving away a band of
fierce outlaws who are attempting to hold-up the royal coach, Fanfan at once
wins the favour of not only the king's mistress, Madame de Pompadour, but
also his daughter, Henriette...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.