Despite its bitter critics, I find that "Flesh and Blood" is one of the best films I have ever seen. What I most like about it is the atmosphere - it embodies the spirit of the Middle Ages, it is so dark and mysterious. The plot is good, so are the characters. This film can be considered quite shocking, it has Verhoeven's signature. Sex and violence are not spared. The Dark Ages aren't at all sweetened and romanced, the cruel people and habits are presented the way they really must have been. I appreciate Verhoeven's courage. The actors are believable, well-cast. I especially loved Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance - she is brilliant in the role of the half-innocent, half-perverse little girl. I recommend this film to strong-hearted people.
Reviews
2 Reviews
That Night in Varennes
(1982)
An unknown but brilliant film
21 June 2001
Few people have probably heard of this French film. Yet, it is a masterpiece. Some great actors brought this story of classical art cinema alive. The historical moment depicted is the period just after the French Revolution. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are making a final attempt to escape - they flee from Paris. Historical characters (Casanova, Restif de la Bretonne) and imagined characters are all joined by a trip in a stagecoach. This is an opportunity for us to discover different mentalities of the 18th century. Each character sees the French Revolution differently, but the viewer can sense its uselessness, the suffering it brought by tearing a whole world apart.
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