I found this film when searching Prime for a newer version of the opera, one of my favorites. It wasn't an opera, but looked to be historically accurate, and there's nothing wrong with historical drama, is there?
Correct. This film is an excellent retelling of Merimee's original novella, which was scandalous in its time for its squalid depiction of the lower classes and of women who weren't content to conform to the moralities of the middle class. The costuming is lush and detailed, the settings almost exactly as described in Merimee's story, and the action is -- well, about as squalid as Merimee's story and almost sexy enough to earn an NC-17 rating. I love the little touches that bring the narrative full circle -- and the presence of the author, Prosper Merimee, is true to the original. Paz Vega is on point as a calculating, manipulative, materialistic, ruthless woman with no illusions whatsoever as to the type of coinage needed to get her way with men. Leonardo Sbaraglia is a heart-breaking Jose -- honorable (at first), conscientious, brave, ultimately subservient to the woman that costs him everything. The finale is shocking -- as shocking as the finale of the opera. The filmmaker did not use any of Bizet's music for the soundtrack -- he didn't need to. The opera is so much a part of our cultural heritage that you hear it anyway. The film is a must-see for anyone who's ever fallen in love with the opera.
Correct. This film is an excellent retelling of Merimee's original novella, which was scandalous in its time for its squalid depiction of the lower classes and of women who weren't content to conform to the moralities of the middle class. The costuming is lush and detailed, the settings almost exactly as described in Merimee's story, and the action is -- well, about as squalid as Merimee's story and almost sexy enough to earn an NC-17 rating. I love the little touches that bring the narrative full circle -- and the presence of the author, Prosper Merimee, is true to the original. Paz Vega is on point as a calculating, manipulative, materialistic, ruthless woman with no illusions whatsoever as to the type of coinage needed to get her way with men. Leonardo Sbaraglia is a heart-breaking Jose -- honorable (at first), conscientious, brave, ultimately subservient to the woman that costs him everything. The finale is shocking -- as shocking as the finale of the opera. The filmmaker did not use any of Bizet's music for the soundtrack -- he didn't need to. The opera is so much a part of our cultural heritage that you hear it anyway. The film is a must-see for anyone who's ever fallen in love with the opera.