It is 1792 and the Reign of Terror has begun in Paris, but a daring Englishman has undertaken the task of rescuing as many French nobles from Madame Guillotine as he can. In the open, Baronett Percy Blakeny (Anthony Andrews) is a dull-witted fop who attends the best parties in Paris. Behind the scenes, he is the Scarlet Pimpernel, the leader of a small band who save as many as they can. While playing the fop, he meets the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, Marguerite (Jane Seymour) and falls instantly in love. However, there is another who seeks her affections, a functionary in the new French government, Chauvelin (Ian McKellen). Marguerite senses that Percy is not the dandy that he plays, but she doesn't know his secret. She falls for him and the two are wed. Bliss in reach, Percy learns something of Marguerite that threatens his marriage and his mission. Worse, her former flame, Chauvelin, has been tasked with finding the Scarlet Pimpernel!
Anthony Andrews steals the show with his portrayal of the Scarlet Pimpernel. His focus on the trivial combined with his snooty delivery paints a picture of a wealthy self-centered twit. I was reminded of his character from Brideshead Revisited. His claim of being a poet is laughable. He is such an obnoxious noble that it is no wonder that he was never suspected as the daring and elusive Pimpernel. "Sink me," is his repeated expression, one I've heard nowhere else but proves quite fitting to the character. He brings humor to a somber story. Oddly, the Scarlet Pimpernel, written in 1905, became a blueprint for other wealthy do-gooders who donned a disguise to fight evil: Zorro (1919), the Shadow (1931), and Batman (1939) to name a few.
Jane Seymour is good in her role but has little to do. Marguerite is subject to the tides of fate, a pawn of Chauvelin and a potential threat to Percy. It did appear to be her own fault in that she explain how she was implicated in the death of a noble family when it was clearly bothering her husband.
Ian McKellen is not well-served by the script. He is easily foiled by the Pimpernel. His one apparent success turns to his greatest failure. A more challenging adversary would have been better.
I was quite surprised to see Julian Fellowes - creator of Downton Abbey - as the Prince Regent! I didn't realize he was an actor. Yes, he has a long list of credits, many in films that I have seen. Cool.
Overall, a great period piece with good costumes, excellent acting, and an entertaining story. Great popcorn fun and recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment