Fanfan (2003) Reviews

• great swashbuckler

  mhaverly2004-03-26

  This new version of a favorite classic was a great swashbuckler - lots of romance, lots of adventure and excitement galore. Vincent Perez was handsome and energetic... a perfect romantic hero. Penelope Cruz was beautiful and feisty - a perfect romantic heroine. The crowd in the cinema was especially enthusiastic when we went -some viewers we know went to see it several times. The period costumes were wonderful, and certainly the equal of earlier versions. The photography was also well done - the French countryside has never looked so wonderful! Knowledge of French is definitely helpful, as the jokes might be lost on those who don't truly understand the language. Loved it so much I bought it!

• An evaded young with a promised career and deep dreams joins Louis XV army and after many heroics, it all comes true

  ma-cortes2018-08-05

  Set during Seven years war , an European war between France : king Louis XV and Austria : Maria Teresa and intervention of various countries as England and Prussia . A peasant and swordsman called Fanfan: Vincent Perez escapes un unwanted marriage by joining the army of Louis XV,Regiment D'Aquitaine . Later on , he meets Adelina who is a fortune teller who speaks him about his important future . After being promised by Adelina Franchise , Penelope Cruz , she promised him a glorious career in the French army , an illustrious future and a royal marriage to king's daughter . And Fanfan attempts to make the promised faith of his true . As Fanfan refuses to forget his dream and decides to fullfill his destiny of the fake prediction. This stirring flick packs thrills , emotion , fencing , swashbuckling with bounds , leaps and jumping through windows . An amusing and funny satire of swashbucklers and historical love story movies, including a light criticism of the aristocracy , war , the mighty and the military . The picture relies heavily on the continuous pursuists , chases , swordplay and excessive and non much-sense fast-movement . It contains an evocative and appropriate musical score by Alexandre Azaria as well as a colorful cinematograhy by Gerard Simon .Lavishly produced by the prestigious Luc Besson and his production company called Eurocorp .The motion picture was professional but regularly directed by Gerard Krawczyk .He is an artisan who has made a few and usually successful films such as Taxi 2, 3, 4 , Wasabi , The red inn, Heroines and I hate actors . This one results to be a remake of the classic French 1955 film and made in its particular style, including fantastic adventures , adequate 18th setting with impressive castles and breathtaking battles , adding a cast of thousands of extras . Handsome and good-looking Vincent Perez delivers a likeable performance as the brave swordsman who becomes involved into twisted intrigues located both , military headquaters and royal court . Penelope Cruz gives a sympathetic interpretation as Adeline Franchise who tells Fanfan's fate , as she predicted he will get fame , fortune and glory ; as he will eventually marry one of the king's daughters .Support cast is pretty well such as : Didier Bourdon , Michael Muller and Helene Fougerolles as Madame Pompadour ,Louis XV's lover . Other fims based on this story with writings from Rene Fallet and Rene Weeler are the followings : Silent vintage movie 1925 by Rene Lerance ; and the classic 1955 by Christian Jaque by Gerard Philipe, Genenieve Page and Gina Lollobrigida

• A Good Movie by Itself.

  CecileRay2003-05-15

  Surely professionals will say bad things about this film. Do not listen to them. This a GOOD movie. The one you like to see with all your family, you talk about for hours with your children. The one who is worth to see on wide screen, and will be rediscovered while seeing on DVD. The one which reborns your childhood. Of course everybody will compare it to the 50's one, with Gina and Gerard. But this one is good by itself ! Vincent Perez is amazing, everything he can do without special effects help is great. Penelope Cruz is full of emotion. Other actors are interesting, when you know what they usually do in french movies. Rated it 8.

• No work of art, not a total disaster...

  karmabuona2005-09-05

  If you don't go in expecting too much, this film is a pleasant way to pass some time. It is certainly no great work of art. Didn't see the original so can't comment on that score. Furthermore, don't really speak French (although enough to understand that Italian subtitled version missed large chunks of dialect), so Cruz's reportedly bad accent was lost on me. It is undoubtedly clichéd, lacking in any original ideas or concepts, and has gaping plot holes. However, that said, it has no pretensions of being anything more sophisticated than what it sets out to be. My advice would be to enjoy it for what it's meant to be: fun, swashbuckling, mildly amusing entertainment with two luscious-looking stars. In fact, just watching Perez and Cruz alone make the whole thing worthwhile.

• Great start but failed on the later half

  bugsmith2006-03-29

  I would like to inform first that I didn't see the original movie so I cannot compare this one to it. The movie starts out very good. It's very funny. The characters, especially Fan Fan and Adeline, are well chosen. Lightings and Colors are above average. Scenery is at least par. There are something to make me laugh or at least smile in every few minutes. The points of all the jokes are easily taken, even though I have to read subtitles all the time. The second half of the film, however begin to go down. Romance, though is expected to be as it is, lacks built-up. When the movie needs to get serious on adventures (or at least in director's opinion), it could not deliver thrills it needs to deliver. With the comedy element's gone and no satisfying actions/adventures/thrills/etc, the second half could be considered a failure. In short, this movie is a little bit beyond average. I enjoyed watching it. It doesn't have solid story, or throughout-the-movie comedy. However, it is the one nobody would regret seeing (unless you are critics).