Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is something we want to try out to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share.
Today’s review is Ladyhawke
THE GENERAL IDEA
Phillipe “The Mouse” Gaston (Broderick) is a thief, and in the opening of the film he has just escaped the inescapable dungeons of Aquilla. While attempting to dodge the city guard he comes across a dark knight who saves him. Etienne Navarre (Hauer) is accompanied by a hawk and the grateful Phillipe chooses to travel with him for safety and service.
Phillipe discovers that at night Navarre disappears and a beautiful woman named Isabeau (Pfeiffer) comes around protected by a black wolf. Phillipe soon figures out that Navarre and Isabeau are cursed for their love by the secretly evil Bishop, who fell in love with Isabeau, who loved the captain of the guard Navarre. He cursed them to forever be together but eternally apart, and at night Navarre turns into a wolf while by day Isabeau is a Hawk.
Phillipe finds out there may be a way to break the curse, but he has to stop Navarre’s temper from getting in the way.
THE GOOD
It is a beautiful romantic film with plenty of action. Broderick’s dialogue is almost a character unto itself as he continually talks with God in moments when he is alone. Some of the best dialogue in film period. I just love his discussions with God.
The most amazing thing is how the film dedicates SO much time to the trio of travellers, that their very situation IS the enemy. Its always present, but so little time is actually spent on scenes with “the badguy”. He is just there in the background and is not developed much at all. The main players are dealing with the curse and he eventually will need to be confronted about it.
Pfeiffer is a staggering woman, but no matter how hot she is in any film I will always remember this role as her most beautiful. Even with less than flattering clothes and short boyish hair, you understand why Navarre is so taken with her.
There is a great balance of characters and story. Even Navarre and Isabeau seem to grow closer to each other through their interactions with Phillipe. Despite the obvious mystical elements found in the curse that transforms these two lovers into animals, there isn’t really a lot of magic. There are no mages or wizards. Aside from this curse, the world is as gritty real as you might imagine the medieval era to be. Nothing is candy coated, buildings are rough, action is believable real and people are dirty.
THE BAD
The movie itself is one of the few I would give a 10 out of 10 to – if it wasn’t for the soundtrack. The very painful 80s synth is just SO terrible and unfitting to the film. Even at the time when pop music was littered with synth keyboards this just didnt work at all for this film.
The fact that this movie likely has the WORST soundtrack in the history of film is a testament to just how amazing the story and actors were. I would tolerate that music again and again to watch this movie.
OVERALL
You were warned about the soundtrack, so watch the movie and try to ignore it. I really wish they would remaster the movie and add a new score for a 25th Anniversary release (which will be next year) It is inspiring drama, a love story and action. And a perfect mix of the three with some comedy and fantasy to boot!
Typically this is where we would write a “Out of 10″ rating, but since all of these Forgotten Friday reviews are going to be what I would already give a high rating to, I have made my own rating system.
TV – Make a point of watching it if you see it listed on TV.
Rent – Good enough to go out of your way to see it, but not enough to buy it.
Buy – So good. You will watch it again and again. Buy it!
So on a scale of TV, Rent or Buy I suggest BUY!
