The Princess of Montpensier

Name: The Princess of Montpensier
Genre: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Released: April 15, 2011
Duration: 139 min
Rating: 78

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: April 15, 2011 | Unrated

Summary: In The Princess of Montpensier, acclaimed filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier directs a spectacular cast in a riveting, lush romantic drama set in the high courts of 16th Century France. Against the backdrop of the savage Catholic/Protestant wars, Marie de Mézières, a beautiful young aristocrat, finds herself married to a young prince she doesIn The Princess of Montpensier, acclaimed filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier directs a spectacular cast in a riveting, lush romantic drama set in the high courts of 16th Century France. Against the backdrop of the savage Catholic/Protestant wars, Marie de Mézières, a beautiful young aristocrat, finds herself married to a young prince she does not love, haunted by a rakish suitor Gaspard Ulliel from her childhood, and advised by an aging nobleman Lambert Wilson, harboring his own forbidden desire for her. The Princess of Montpensier must struggle passionately to stay alive in the intrigue of this corrupt political and romantic web of duty, passion, religion and war. (IFC Films)… Expand

Director: Bertrand Tavernier

Genre(s): Action, Drama, History, Romance

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 139 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Kenneth Turan

Apr 16, 2011

Epic and intimate, historical and contemporary, moving and thought-provoking, the impressive The Princess of Montpensier has something for all and sundry but especially for those who like to believe that films can be as boldly intelligent as they are entertaining. Read full review

Mark Jenkins

Apr 28, 2011

At times, "Princess" resembles a widescreen Hollywood western, with exhilarating Steadicam shots of horsemen galloping across broad plains and corpse-strewn fields. Read full review

Mark Feeney

May 19, 2011

There is a great and perhaps unique French cinematic tradition of braiding together love and manners and the past. Think of "Children of Paradise," "Casque d'Or," "The Earrings of Madame de . . .," "Elena and Her Men." Now one can think of The Princess of Montpensier, too. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Apr 16, 2011

Courtly intrigue should be intriguing, and in that sense, The Princess of Montpensier – although it's somewhat wan and too cerebral for its own good – does a fairly keen job. Read full review

Jennie Punter

Jun 2, 2011

Swords cross, blood spurts and bosoms heave in The Princess of Montpensier, French director Bertrand Tavernier's thoroughly ravishing drama. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Apr 29, 2011

It is all thoroughly entertaining and even, at times, gripping. Read full review

David Denby

Apr 22, 2011

The battle scenes are extraordinarily mucky and violent, but here, as in Tavernier's "Let Joy Reign Supreme," the intricate protocols of aristocratic sexual passion are the most startling elements. The movie, however, is opaque at its center. [25 April, 2011 p. 89]

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User Reviews

MarthaP

Apr 16, 2011

Excellent, original film -- sort of a 16th century French western. Itâ

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frani

May 4, 2011

I have already submitted a review and just wish to amend my score from a 10 to a 7 OOPS. Now it make senseI am long time admirer of Bertrand Tavernier's and so really wanted to like this film. It certainly is gorgeous and captures an interesting period in French history. It also raiseI have already submitted a review and just wish to amend my score from a 10 to a 7 OOPS. Now it make senseI am long time admirer of Bertrand Tavernier's and so really wanted to like this film. It certainly is gorgeous and captures an interesting period in French history. It also raise intriguing and timely questions some of which get answered. However the title character, the princess is not much of a femme fatale especially a french femme fatale. You know they set the bar kind of high. She is vacuous which we could forgive if she had some other quality but alas she does not. She is pretty enough though again by french standards not a knock out her face has no soul behind it. Really is a shame as the rest of the cast is superb especially Lambert Wilson so cerebral and sensitive. Still it is sumptuous to look at and the sword fights are balanced between pure ballet and bloody slug fests. Collapse… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarcDoyle

Apr 29, 2011

There are times during this film in which I thought I was watching a parody. The sword fighting scenes were straight out of a high school production. The acting is decent, but nothing in the film ever seems to be consummated. There aren't enough dramatic turning points, and I'm afraid to sayThere are times during this film in which I thought I was watching a parody. The sword fighting scenes were straight out of a high school production. The acting is decent, but nothing in the film ever seems to be consummated. There aren't enough dramatic turning points, and I'm afraid to say that I was little bored by it. And yes, it's over-long.… Expand

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