THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (2002) (***1/2)
This film is the latest rendition of the classic Alexandre Dumas novel of the same name. The story is pretty common and you know exactly where it's going, but this version makes this road well traveled a fun adventure.
Edmond (Jim Caviezel, FREQUENCY, ANGEL EYES) and Fernard (Guy Pearce, MEMENTO) have been friends since childhood, however, the noble Fernard has always been jealous of Edmond and his simple love of life. Fernard wants Edmond's fiance Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk, KEEPING THE FAITH) and he sets him up on treason and eventually murder charges. After 13 years in prison, Edmond escapes, finds a fortune and vows revenge. However, the priest (Richard Harris, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE), who Edmond meets in jail, tells him that he should make sure he does not turn into the man who he was wrongly convicted of being.