| The Count of Monte Cristo |
| 2002, Touchstone. Directed by Kevin Reynolds. Starring Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris, Dagmara Dominczyk, Luis Guzman. Rated PG-13 for swordplay and other violence, some sensuality (including a non-marital affair), and some language. |
| Grade: A |
| Review by Anthony |
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| Alexander Dumas's novel of revenge has been made into one great, action-packed movie that deals with two themes: (1) faith in God and (2) the moral problem of revenge. Edmond Dantes (played by Catholic actor Jim Caviezel) has a promising future ahead of him; he is engaged to marry the woman he loves, Mercedes, and he has been appointed the captian of the ship on which he works. However, his best friend (Fernand) and his co-worker (Dangers), both having their own jealous reasons, decide to frame Edmond for treason. Edmond is unjustly sent to the island prison of the Chateau d'If. He is a prisoner for many years until he meets Abbe Faria (Richard Harris), a priest who is also a prisoner. The Abbe gives Edmond an education and tells him about a treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Once Edmond finally manages to escape from the prison, he goes to Monte Cristo and finds the treasure. Using this money, he achieves power and takes on the new identity of the Count of Monte Cristo. The only thing he wants is revenge on those who wronged him. The film has a religious element to it that is quite rare in most movies (and most of it is actually not found in the book). On Edmond's prison cell wall, a former occupant of the cell wrote the words "God will give me justice". When Edmond is led into the cell, the warden mocks the words, saying that God has nothing to do with it. Edmond replies, "God has everything to do with. He is everywhere. He sees everything." However, after years of suffering, Edmond loses his faith in God. "I've stopped believing in God," he says to the priest, who replies, "It doesn't matter; He believes in you." These and other such moments greatly added to my enjoyment of the movie. I especially liked the way it ends: the camera returns to the prison wall and the last thing we see before it starts to fade are the words "God will give me justice." The movie has a moral element to it as well. In contrast with such movies as Gladiator and The Patriot, it treats revenge as morally bad. The priest admonishes Edmond not to seek for revenge but to do good. Although he does not at first listen, in the end Edmond repents of his deeds: "You were right, priest. From now on, I will use my power for good." There is one objection to the movie though: Edmond's pre-marital affair with Mercedes (this also goes on after Mercedes marries someone else). This is also not found in the book; it was (in part at least) added in for dramatic reasons, which actually make sense as well as make for a better story. Overall, I think the movie's strong points more than make up for this problem. The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the best action/adventure movies you'll see in a while. Die-hard fans of the book may not like the many changes made, but I think the movie adds much to the story. |