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Are you looking for action, suspense, romance and most of all revenge? Well Alexandre Dumas’s novel comes alive in The Count of Monte Cristo starring James Caviezel (Angel Eyes) as the betrayed Edmond Dantes. The story was full of holes and a little bit predictable, but overall still maintained the theme throughout. The story begins at the time Napoleon was being held captive on an island off the coast of France. The young friends Dantes and Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce of Memento) arrive on this island seeking help for their sick sea captain. The guards are ordered to shoot all that arrive, fearing they will try to release Napoleon. After a confrontation, Mondego saves his friend and they are allowed to see the doctor. It is during this brief time on the island we learn of the competitive rivalry between these guys. One is a poor man working hard to become a ships captain so he can marry is childhood sweetheart, the other a spoiled Lord’s son who needs to always be the winner. After a competitive interaction, the winner gets to be king with a chess piece until the next confrontation. After returning home, the seeds for betrayal are planted. Dantes is made captain for his initiative on getting help for the fated ship captain. He gives the news to his betrothed Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk of Rock Star) and his best friend Mondego. His friend has always wanted whatever Dantes has because Dantes is always happy with what he has and Mondego is never pleased. He pouts and starts drinking. This is when he shares some information he discovered on Napoleon’s island. Napoleon pulled Dantes aside and asked him to deliver a letter to an old friend and assured him there was nothing treasonous about it. He must keep it secret though. Mondego angered that his friend did not share this told, Danglars (Albie Woodington) the first mate who was overlooked for promotion in lieu of Dantes. Danglars went straight to Villefort (James Frain) and Dantes was arrested and dragged from his home in front of Mercedes and his father. After handing over the letter and telling his story he was set free. Dantes can not read and was truly innocent of treason. As he was leaving he was asked the name of the person he should give the letter to and upon that information was tricked into being led away to a prison on an island for the rest of his life. Well in order to get revenge he obviously is not spending the rest of his life there, but ten years might as well be life. While in a dank cell with gruel given to him once a day through the door and a beating on his anniversary, he does manage to come in contact with a fellow prisoner named Abbe Faria (Richard Harris of Harry Potter) in his escape attempt. The priest educates him in literature, economics, language and fencing. And the cud e gras on his escape is a map to an immense fortune on the Island of Monte Cristo. This money is used to exact his revenge on his best friend and Villefort. While out of prison he learns that Mercedes married Mondego and has a child named Albert (Henry Cavill) so he adds her to his list as well. While it is slow at times, especially the ten years in a jail cell, the movie still holds your attention. The huge holes I am referring to is Dantes appears as The Count of Monte Cristo and spends large sums of money all over the world and makes grand balloon entrances yet nobody questions who he is or how he amassed his fortune. The people of wealth and power never heard of him, but accepted him like he was for real. As for the predictable scenes, well you will figure that one out yourself. I give this movie an eight on the About-Movies.com scale. Adieu
Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:48:18 AM Click Here to get back into frames.
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