Kirpianuscus
an interesting and courageous project. to present to a new generation, after almost half of century, a story who represents a great success for its period. but it is not only ambition. the new Angelique is real different. for the cold tension, for the new dimensions of the lead character, for the admirable cast, costumes and grace of details. it reflects the expectations of the contemporary public and that fact does it interesting. the romanticism is not the star and Angelique seems be more credible as country girl who fights in a pragmatic manner for her purpose. a film who could be the first from a series. or only signal for remind an old brand. each of possibilities are good point for a courageous project.
Armand
the photography. the costumes. the cast. three pillars for a different adaptation of Anne Golon's novel. the romanticism has different level and nuances. Nora Arnezeder is not Michelle Mercier and Gerard Lanvin is different by Robert Hossein. but that fact is one of great good points because the story has as target a new public from a new century. and that fact does it credibility and force, a special charm, a new image about a story who seems be well - known. the wise manner to use the nuances - that is its basic virtue. the not passionate style, the delicacy for details, Angelique as fighter more than a victim or woman looking her protector. a beautiful film and an inspired project. and, sure, a new series. full of high ambition.
Malgga
I have recently watched the movie "Angélique" by Ariel Zeitoun and must say that I liked it very, very much, more than I expected. Admittedly, the plot differed much from the book and for fans of Anne Golon, who expect a rendition true to the novel this might be a somewhat irritating aspect. If my opinion on this thing is concerned, I think that films are always adaptations and works of their own. But that's up to everybody's personal preferences, of course. Coming to the quality of the original script, I can't say here anything, because I have watched the film in a translated version.The main strength of this production and people, who carry it on their shoulders, are the two magnificent main actors: Nora Arnezeder as Angélique and Gerard Lanvin as her husband Joffrey de Peyrac.To me Nora Arnezeder was the ideal choice for Angélique, she not only acted very naturally in this complex role and showed the character just like she was in the books by Anne Golon, as a strong, intelligent and independent young woman, but also looked exactly like I pictured Angélique when I read the books and had her aristocratic and fresh beauty. Coming to Gerard Lanvin, I had, before watching the film, my doubts concerning his age (in the book Angélique is 17 and Joffrey 29 years old, whereas in the new movie Angélique's age remains unchanged, but Joffrey is forty years older than her), but from the moment I saw his performance my doubts completely disappeared. For he played the character with great sensitivity, charm and charisma and made Joffrey de Peyrac a true grand seigneur that this personage was in the novel.Strangely enough, the big age difference between Angélique and Joffrey wasn't palpable at all and their love story very credible. I was indeed very surprised by this, for I thought that an age difference that big would be impossible to bridge, but Nora Arnezeder and Gerard Lanvin have done the impossible.Furthermore, there are in particular two very moving scenes, among quite many of that kind, where Nora Arnezeder and Gerard Lanvin reach the height of acting skill: the scene where Joffrey is arrested and says goodbye to Angélique and the scene, in which Angélique visits Joffrey in the Bastille. These moments brought tears to my eyes and I have never experienced that before when watching a movie!Also worth mentioning is the beautiful scene where Angélique and Joffrey make love for the first time. It was very sensual, but also full of tenderness and the viewer could feel the budding love between Angélique and Joffrey. Kudos to the director of photography, Peter Zeitlinger, to whom I will come later, who filmed that scene aesthetically and in good taste.The nature of the relationship between Angélique and Joffrey progresses however differently than in the book, i.e. Angélique realizes only much later what her husband really means to her.Coming to the visual side of the film, what is especially noteworthy to me is the fantastic photography by Peter Zeitlinger, shot almost entirely with the use of natural light!The realistic sets, decorated with much dedication and attention to detail, and the costumes, in case of which the designers, Edith Vesperini and Stéphane Rollot, worked with great care in regard to every single item of clothing, like corsets, stockings and chemises, caused that I felt like transplanted into the 17th century.In my praise I would like mention the enchanting music by Nathaniel Méchaly, which added much to the atmosphere of the production and to which I could listen with great pleasure, even with no picture, only with headphones on. To sum things up, I think that "Angélique" is a beautiful, engaging and immensely romantic rendition of the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale motive. I'm holding fingers crossed for next parts of and keep waiting for them impatiently!Update from the end of December: The movie was very well received by the critics as well as the audience in German-speaking countries and in Poland, where the DVD was such a success that within four months from its appearance in the stores it was sold out. Therefore I very much hope that funds of the producers will be sufficient to film a sequel e.g. "Angélique and the King". PS.: English-speaking viewers can buy this movie with English subtitles on Amazon.ca for CDN$ 20.00 or on Amazon.com for $28.99.
