Karen Allen is the only reason to watch this otherwise awful movie. With the exception of "Eye of the Needle", Director Richard Marquand seemed unable to make good movies. I don't know why; he apparently was intelligent and well-educated. In spite of romantic fantasy, beautiful locations, and attention to details, the film builds from cliché. It never develops its narrative. This is not even a good soap opera.
The French actor Thierry Lhermitte seems particularly wooden here, which is strange because he was excellent in "An American Werewolf in Paris", an excellent film. He cannot carry the role of a leading man. You keep waiting for someone worthy of Ms. Allen to show up. No one does.
The score by John Barry sounds almost copied from classic French films. The score has a nostalgic sense that makes one think of good French cinema. The cinematography looks imitative of good French movies. Some of the images make you want to shout for something to emerge from the narrative. Even if Mr. Marquand ought to have been able to make an intelligent film, there is nothing intelligent or engaging about this mess. The only reason to watch this movie is to enjoy looking at Karen Allen's adorable smile. The high 2 I give this movie is because I had a crush on Ms. Allen back when she made this movie.
The French actor Thierry Lhermitte seems particularly wooden here, which is strange because he was excellent in "An American Werewolf in Paris", an excellent film. He cannot carry the role of a leading man. You keep waiting for someone worthy of Ms. Allen to show up. No one does.
The score by John Barry sounds almost copied from classic French films. The score has a nostalgic sense that makes one think of good French cinema. The cinematography looks imitative of good French movies. Some of the images make you want to shout for something to emerge from the narrative. Even if Mr. Marquand ought to have been able to make an intelligent film, there is nothing intelligent or engaging about this mess. The only reason to watch this movie is to enjoy looking at Karen Allen's adorable smile. The high 2 I give this movie is because I had a crush on Ms. Allen back when she made this movie.