Well done biopic of an amazing young woman
Born to a peasant family in northeastern France during the Hundred Years’ War with England, Joan (Leelee Sobieski) hears the voices of saints instructing her to help the Dauphin Charles (Neil Patrick Harris) claim the French kingship and drive out the Brits. Charles persuades Joan to declare herself the prophesied Maid of Lorraine and inspire an army against the invaders. Peter Strauss plays the skeptical captain, Peter O'Toole a bishop, Powers Boothe her grim father and Shirley MacLaine Madame de Beaurevoir.
While “Joan of Arc” (1999) was a TV production with the limitations thereof, it’s quite well done if you’re in the mood for a realistic medieval flick. The first two-thirds are great but, to be expected, the third act bogs down into a sad talky drama of impending doom. However, since this is a true story, we knew that’s where it was going, right?
Incredibly, Leelee was only 15 years-old during shooting. She has her own unique style, like John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Jack Nicholson. You either roll with it or you don't. I found her convincing; she struck me as a late teen who had the temerity and austerity of a proverbial "mission from God" to unite the French and motivate them in battle.
As always with these kinds of movies some things are inaccurate, whether due to artistic license or budget constraints. For instance, Joan's military devotees were not known to have gone to Rouen, Normandy, to liberate her at any time, let alone at the time of her killing. Speaking of which, she was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431, not in the winter.
The film runs 140 minutes with a 180 minute uncut version. It was shot in the Czech Republic.
GRADE: B
