The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc Movie Review 1999

Besson's take on the legendary 15th-century French teen martyr Joan of Arc (Jovovich) leans heavily on gory battle scenes, stilted dialogue, and spectacle to tell her story. After seeing her sister murdered and raped (actually in that order) by English soldiers, Joan begins to hear heavenly voices that tell her that she must free her country and king from the invaders. After a visit with the Dauphin, several bloody battles ensue, and Joan is eventually captured and put on trial for sorcery and heresy. Awaiting her fate, she has conversations with a character that is actually billed as her Conscience (Hoffman), which brings up questions in her mind whether she was really divinely inspired or merely a cake du fruit. Jovovich's pop-eyed, semi-intelligible performance helps this poor effort go up in flames.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 148 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Historical Drama, Period Piece: 15th Century, Wonder Women, Big Battles, Biopics: Religious, Betrayal

Screenplay

Luc Besson, Andrew Birkin

Cast

Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, Dustin Hoffman, Pascal Greggory, Vincent Cassel, Tcheky Karyo, Richard Ridings, Desmond Harrington

Cinematography

Thierry Arbogast

Director

Luc Besson

Music

Eric Serra

Producer

Columbia Pictures