The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) is a great movie.

First off, I acknowledge that this film take substantial liberties with the book, but I love the film for the story it tells on its own. I saw this film in the theater when it was released and really enjoyed it, as well as when it was first released on video. Had not seen it in many years since. To my surprise it ages quite well.

The acting is great. Jim Caviezel does a great job as Edmond, both as a callow youth and as the older, wiser, angrier man. Guy Pierce chews the scenery in a great way as the antagonist, and Dagmara Dominczyk is fantastic as the gorgeous, tortured Mercedes. The supporting cast is likewise strong throughout (Michael Wincott is outstanding in his small role). My only complaint is probably Luis Guzman, who I feel was a bit miscast, but still not to the point of it being distracting.

The cinematography is gorgeous. The opulence and wealth of aristocratic 19th Century Europe is on full display, and the locations and clothes are breathtaking, as are the scenes of natural beauty. Before watching this again I vividly remembered the scene where Edmond dove into a beautiful blue pool of water to find the treasure, and upon rewatching it again it is startling how beautiful that shot still is.

The fight choreography is great as well. Most of the sword fights are intense, fast, and well shot. Each one also has meaning to the characters and the larger plot of the film. With the exception of the last sword fight they are over quickly, which feels authentic (no idea if the choreography was or not).

Most importantly, the movie is loaded with earned pathos. You feel horror at what Edmond endures and what he lost. The feeling of pleasure you get from seeing him escape and take his revenge is felt fiercely, but is tempered by the knowledge that the drive for revenge is destroying Edmond. And you feel the love and pain between Edmond and Mercedes across the decades. The scenes between the two of them in Edmond's carriage and at his mansion are incredibly romantic in their own ways.

My only real complaint is that the ending wraps things up too neatly. With everything the characters have gone through, it's hard to believe that it could all just be done like that and so quickly, (which of course is why the book is very different at the end). All that being said, I love this movie.

Edit: Forgot to mention that it has one of the best toasts in cinema history.

Submitted August 24, 2021 at 01:05AM by MaterialCarrot https://ift.tt/384yNFQ