This period flick had much going for it- BBC backing, an excellent cast including Colin Firth and Lord of the Ring's Ian Holm- and pretty decent sets. It is quite well shot. It promises us that "When murder is the motive, seduction is the last defence".
Sadly it just doesn't work. A sort of anachronistic liberalism just suffocates the life out of the whole thing and gives it a phonier ring than a $8 note. Colin Firth is the crusading lawyer who uses all the jargon of a "right-on" legal aid lawyer who retires to digs in Islington for the night. But this is medieval France- not the East End of London. We have the dreary spectacle of this uber-liberal goody-two-shoes Firth protecting the compulsory ethnic minority figure plus all the brute beasts of the land against the evil and conspiratorial Lord of the Manor. Although some of it is funny, most of it is just embarrassingly clumsy.
There is plenty of admirable full frontal nudity, but sadly that is probably one of the few reasons to bother watching this mediocre cinematic effort. Although it claims historical authenticity, believe me- that is just tosh.
Sadly it just doesn't work. A sort of anachronistic liberalism just suffocates the life out of the whole thing and gives it a phonier ring than a $8 note. Colin Firth is the crusading lawyer who uses all the jargon of a "right-on" legal aid lawyer who retires to digs in Islington for the night. But this is medieval France- not the East End of London. We have the dreary spectacle of this uber-liberal goody-two-shoes Firth protecting the compulsory ethnic minority figure plus all the brute beasts of the land against the evil and conspiratorial Lord of the Manor. Although some of it is funny, most of it is just embarrassingly clumsy.
There is plenty of admirable full frontal nudity, but sadly that is probably one of the few reasons to bother watching this mediocre cinematic effort. Although it claims historical authenticity, believe me- that is just tosh.