MOVIE REVIEW

January 18, 2002
Rose Pacatte, FSP
Director
Pauline Center for Media Studies
Jamaica Plain

The Count of Monte Cristo

Touchstone is releasing a new version of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO on January, 25^. This is the same release date set for Warner Brothers' A WALK TO REMEMBER. Both films, their own way, attempt to reach an audience that is looking for values.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is at least the fifth remake of Alexander Dumas' classic tale of revenge reconsidered. The acting by James Caviezel in the lead role of Edmund Dantes is sincere and convincing while Richard Harris as Faria the priest whom the future "Count" meets in prison, is brilliant. Harris' headmaster role in HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCER'S STONE pales, absolutely blanches in comparison to how he embodies his character here. This is a role Richard Harris was born to play. 

The cinematography is gorgeous especially the seascapes and coastal scenes which were shot in Malta and Ireland. OK, for purists, the ending has been changed a tad from the book, but it makes this tale of revenge turned to goodness acceptable to a larger, and perhaps younger audience. Does this plot change sell out the classic? I don't think so because the film tells the complex tale with clarity, we get the point and enjoy it all at the same time.

The relationships between the main characters, e.g. the Count and his past-pirate assistant, provide not only the lighter touch, but also gives us reason to care. The dramatic tension is provided by the schemes the characters concoct to bring each other down, how they suffer the consequences for their actions and choices and how they grow in relationship to one another.

There is a strong social message here as well: the importance of literacy to empower people to make decisions for themselves and influence society for the good.

At this point, I don't know if the COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO will be my #1 movie of 2002, but it's one I will go see again and encourage others to do so as well. The themes of this new rendering of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO are ones that Christian movie viewers care about. It has a PG-13 rating.