No sparks ignited by 'Firelight' despite Marceau's presence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Beauty is only skin deep... but oh how
\nbeautiful some of that skin is!<\/p>\n
Sophie Marceau ranks right up there with the likes of Bridget
\nBardot, Catherine Deneauve and Isabelle Adjani as one of the most
\nbeautiful French actresses to grace the silver screen.<\/p>\n
Her sensuous presence is enough to keep fans glued to their
\nseats for any film she appears in.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, most of her English film performances still
\npale in comparison with those of her compatriots.<\/p>\n
She became an international household name in Mel Gibson's
\nBraveheart. But there it was her ability to ignite the screen
\nwith her brief presence, rather than any serious dramatic
\nperformance, which caught the eye.<\/p>\n
In Firelight, even 90-minutes of Marceau's alluring beauty
\ncannot salvage this mid-1800s period piece as one gigantic yawn.<\/p>\n
Sure, most guys will still skip a couple of heartbeats with
\nevery closeup, but it is no heart stopper.<\/p>\n
The story is a combination of a Charlotte Bronte-Jane Austen-
\nHarlequin romance.<\/p>\n
Under family pressure, British aristocrat Charles (Stephen
\nDillane), needs an heir to carry on the encrusted family name.<\/p>\n
The only problem is his wife is severely ill and cannot bear
\nhim a child.<\/p>\n
So what does he do? Offer 5,000 pounds to anyone willing to be
\na surrogate mother.<\/p>\n
Along comes Elisabeth (Marceau), who applies for the
\n\"honorable\" task in order to payoff her father's debts.<\/p>\n
Who could refuse?! Elisabeth and Charles depart for three days
\nto an isolated location to fulfill the contract.<\/p>\n
Remember this is the mid-19th Century; there's no such thing
\nas artificial insemination, so the couple have to do it the old
\nfashioned way.<\/p>\n
William Nicholson, in his directing debut, tries to ensure
\nthat those who only come to see Marceau get their money's worth,
\nwith a love scene illuminating by a flickering fire and much
\ntossing and turning.<\/p>\n
The lovemaking is neither memorable nor does it reach feverish
\nheights. In her French film repertoire, Marceau has performed
\nmuch more risqu scenes.<\/p>\n
Not surprisingly after two nights Charles is reluctant to
\nleave Elizabeth. But the two decide that they will honor their
\ncontract and part ways.<\/p>\n
Nine months later, Elisabeth gives up her baby girl promising
\nnot to interfere in the child's life.<\/p>\n
Of course Elisabeth does come back to haunt Charles and see
\nher child.<\/p>\n
She inveigles her way into the aristocratic life by applying
\nfor a post as the child's governess. When she finally meets her
\ndaughter, she is aghast to find the seven-year-old Louisa
\n(Dominique Belcourt) a spoiled brat.<\/p>\n
While the new governess proceeds to sort out her recalcitrant
\ndaughter, she avoids Charles' seductive glances.<\/p>\n
Nothing in this film will excite audiences, not even the love
\nscenes.<\/p>\n
\"Did you enjoy it?\" Charles asks Elisabeth after their first
\ncoupling. \"No,\" she replies.<\/p>\n
Both Marceau and Dillane are unanimated in their roles.
\nMarceau is her usually brooding self, failing to smile throughout
\nthe whole movie.<\/p>\n
Viewers will likely sympathize with Charles, who honorably
\nfights to curtail his desire for Elisabeth and remain faithful to
\nhis mute bed-stricken wife.<\/p>\n
We can sympathize with his woes. Who can blame him with
\nsomeone like Sophie Marceau floating about the place and the
\ncompetition of other men in the film, also falling over
\nthemselves to woo her?<\/p>\n
Overall this film could use a little bit more wood before it
\nlights a fire in anyone's memory. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-sparks-ignited-by-firelight-despite-marceaus-presence-1447893297",
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