Having been released in January 2006, I had little faith that this film would be any good for the start of the new year is often the dumping ground for the studios’ crap. However, I am surprised to report that TRISTAN & ISOLDE might not be BRAVEHEART, but this Romeo and Juliet-like tale does understand that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Well, these three people aren’t little, but you get my point.
Set during a time when the united Irish wrecked havoc on the various clans of Britain, Tristan (James Franco, SPIDER-MAN) is adopted by Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell, DARK CITY) after the boy’s parents are killed by the Irish. Lord Marke is fighting to unify the British clans so that they can stand up to the brutal Irish king Donnchadh (BRAVEHEART). During a battle, Tristan is believed killed and then set afloat on a raft in the ocean for a burial at sea.
However, Tristan isn’t dead and his raft washes up on the shores of Ireland where the princess Isolde (Sophia Myles, ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL) discovers him. Believing it not wise to tell him who she is, as Isolde nurses Tristan back to health, they fall in love. Upon his return to Britain, Tristan agrees to fight on behalf of Lord Marke to win the hand in marriage of King Donnchadh’s daughter, which Marke believes will bring peace to Britain. After he wins, Tristan is astounded to find that his love is now obligated to marry his adopted father.
Tristan and Isolde’s continuing romance not only threatens their lives, but the stability of their countries. It’s this latter point that the film surprisingly understands. The three characters in the love triangle understand the ramifications of their situation. What the film doesn’t do is bring modern sensibility to the story, allowing the characters to act as their era dictates.
The story does not only develop a believable relationship between Tristan and Isolde, but also between Tristan and Marke, which is the most interesting. The tragedy of the situation is only highlighted by the unavoidable nature of the characters’ duty to society. But the film never gets too maudlin about its doomed romance.
Though Franco is stiff, both Myles and Sewell bright conviction to their performances, never going over-the-top. It’s the straight-forward approach from director Kevin Reynolds (ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES) that surprised me. This isn’t a knight in shining armor soup opera, but a solidly told tragedy of circumstance. It’s not a trailblazer, but it provides a compelling story without talking down to us or cheaply playing our heartstrings. This film’s emotion is earned.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
