Reviews (29)

Magnificant, compelling, and beautifully photographed.
This love story is one that spans from childhood thru adulthood. Mr. Ward's vision and superb cinematography make this a must see film. It flows evenly, and alternately makes you laugh and cry. The special effects are really well done and the last mission over Dresden are scenes that will haunt you forever. The final scenes are the most revered of the entire film. They are wonderfully done. As Albertine and Avik fly overhead in a balloon, he sees himself dying below on the arctic ice shelf. He was dreaming all of this, and Mr. Ward really knows how to make a movie. The alternating sequences of the mirror shining in their faces thru out the film lend something special to this offering. This is one film, I can watch over and over and never tire of it. My only regret is that is not available on DVD.

A romantic tale of life-long love
I found this to be one of the most romantic movies I've ever seen. It tells the story of Avik, a young Eskimo boy who meets Walter Russell (Patrick Bergin) when Walter comes to map his village. Avik discovers he has Tuberculosis, and Walter takes the young boy to Montreal where he stays at a Catholic hospital. There he meets Albertine, a young girl of mixed French Canadian and Indian blood. They grow attached to each other, in spite of the meddling of one of the nuns, played by Jeanne Moreau. Eventually, Avik and Albertine are separated. Avik returns to his village, and becomes a man. He finds he is ostracized by his fellow tribe, because he has lived too long among the white people.

Avik as an adult is played by Jason Scott Lee. By this time, Canada is involved in World War II, and Avik joins the Air Force and flies on bombing raids. He is reunited with Albertine (Anne Parillaud) in London, who is also in the military. Unfortunately, so is Walter Russell. And it seems that he and Albertine have met and become romantically involved. Avik does not want to interfere in the relationship, because Walter saved his life.

This is a story of two people who are truly in love, but whom the fates keep apart. An old theme, but with a new twist. I found it heart breaking and romantic. I loved the period portrayed. And the love scene atop the blimp is quite something! This film isn't for everyone, but if you like a good romantic tear jerker, this is for you.

Magnificent Movie, Less Than Magnificent DVD
Since the story of "Map of the Human Heart" is found in other reviews on this page, I will focus instead on what makes the film so special and the contents of the DVD.

"Map" is essentially a tried 'n true romantic story of two people who are destined for each other, but separated by fate. What makes this film so wonderful are the spectacular location shots, the superb acting, and the ambition of the storyline.
The most notable sequences are the bombing of Dresden, the "dance" atop the ceiling/roof of the famous Albert Hall theatre, the balloon sequence at the end of the film, and the most indelible site, the love scene atop a barrage balloon. Jason Scott Lee and Ann Parillaud are wonderful in the title roles and Patrick Bergan turns in a really good performance in what may be the most complex character he's ever played (though he does get a "movie star" moment in the film when he dramatically turns around to greet Avik in a London Ballroom).

Special note must be made of the young Avik (Robert Joamie) and Albertine (Annie Galipeau, who possesses an interesting voice to say the least) in the Catholic hospital/school. There is real chemestry present between the actors and it shows. Particularly the scene in which both of them are trying to escape, Albertine gives Avik a knife and says, "Take a part of me.", Avik proceeds to cut off some of her hair, the scene was so moving it left me in tears.

The DVD presentation is really dissapointing considering how long we've had to wait for it. While the movie itself is presented in clean widescreen (using the European cut from what I understand, it's about five minutes longer than the American version), the only extras are four deleted scenes. Three of which take place when Avik & Albertine are at the Catholic hospital/school. Apparently, the "Bunny Ears" deleted scene must be rather infamous considering a promo shot from it is used on the DVD cover. The scene itself looks like it never made it to a preview audience (the film is unprocessed) and it ends with a urination bit that left my jaw on the floor. The deleted scene with Avik tearing a hole through a wall is rather nice, ending with him and Albertine playfully kissing each other.

It's rather puzzling that there were no other extras like a photo gallery (promo photos were used on the menu pages), cast & crew bios, and production notes were put in, in lieu of a director's commentary (which I can understand may have been difficult to get).

"Map of the Human Heart" is one of the finest films ever made that vitually no one has seen. It's well worth seeking out and adding to your collection. Trust me, you will not be dissapointed.

the DVD is finally here
The five stars are for the movie, not necessarily the DVD, which, after an inexplicable wait, has finally arrived on shelves. I'll leave it to others to talk about the movie itself; I'll just make a few points about the DVD.

First of all, you should be aware that this is the European edit, not the American one, which for reasons unknown to me was not the version chosen for the DVD transfer. The American version runs about 109 minutes, the European PAL version about 5 minutes longer. There are a couple of scenes that until now only the Europeans could see (for example, after Walter tells Albertine, "I'd do anything for you," he takes her into the next room where he has secreted a horse into their apartment!). Now this is included. Another difference that will be immediately noticeable is that the voice of Avik and Albertine's daughter is no longer voiced over with that sweet and mellifluous voice, but is now the raucous and heavily accented voice of the actress you see: quite jarring if you've never heard it before. In addition, the European version was much more leisurely with the editing pace (such as during the interview between Avik's daughter and him on the snow: there are many extra lines now), with longer establishing shots, Avik nearly getting run over by a snowplow, etc., and this more relaxed pace has been preserved.

THE GOOD:

1. "Map of the Human Heart" was not filmed in 1.85:1 as I long thought, but full widescreen, 2.35:1, and provided your player is set up to play it, this DVD will play the full "dollar". This is not, however, the tremendous experience rabid fans of this movie might think it is, since I feel director Vincent Ward didn't really use that extra space off to the sides, so you haven't been missing much. As far as I know, ONLY widescreen is available, and no "fullscreen" version of this movie is even offered on DVD. The version you would purchase from this page (ASIN: B0001MDQ58) is letterbox, though Amazon doesn't make that clear.

2. The deleted scenes are interesting but frankly I understand why they wound up on the cutting room floor. There are only four included. I happen to know of a couple of other deleted scenes which were filmed but haven't made it on this disc: Avik in a POW-type convoy after Dresden, and Walter searching among the overturned tables and chairs for the missing Albertine (!) during the final dream sequence with the air balloon. However, I was dumbfounded at the urination sequence!

THE BAD:

1. I was hoping that the subtitles would clarify some lines I've always wondered about, but instead they were poorly done -- evidently by somebody who was in a great hurry or who simply didn't care. Just a couple of irritating examples: When Avik bombs Dresden, the subtitles have him saying, "We are on target," instead of, "What have I done?" Or when Jeanne Moureau as the imperious nun rips the sheet off the two kids, the subtitles have her saying, "The worn skin only stands so much damage," instead of "The walls can only stand so much damage," referring to the kids' hijinks in a scene that didn't make the final cut. Subtitles are also available in Spanish (with the same errors), but not in any other language.

2. There is no commentary or any kind of interview with the director, Ward, or anybody else, such as Louis Nowra or Gabriel Yared. This was a disappointment, even though the quality of Ward's voiceover on the "What Dreams May Come" DVD is less than tremendous.

Incidentally, if anybody knows where principal locations of this film were, I would appreciate the clarification. For example, is there really a "horse" lake in the Midlands? If so, where? And I have heard that the sanatorium is located in Canada but not near Montreal at all... Anybody know?

Deceptively Simply, Beautiful, & Moving ¿ Different
Someone once said, "A story doesn't necessarily have to have happened to be true." This is a wonderful story that provides a unique perspective that rarely is provided in a Hollywood movie. One can study facts and statistics about history, but it takes a story like this for one to begin to understand how it all tied together to define one person's life. Many people can tell you about the US involvement in World War II and the Eskimo culture, but few know how they affected each other. This film does just that with sincere compassion and beautiful cinematography.
When two cultures collide the "assimilation" of one into the other has profound effects. If one assimilates completely into the dominating culture they will lose their heritage. On the other end, if one does not assimilate at all then they will be destroyed, thus unable to pass on their heritage. This movie does not try to make a point about right or wrong, but rather focuses on the human realities of such a conflict. If you enjoyed the book, A Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter, you'll love this movie. Also, this has moving cultural aspects as did "Dances with Wolves," but better represents the "White Cultures" as struggling to protect their ways of life. Finally, for you country music fans, this movie has a plot line somewhat close to that of the song "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" by Johnny Cash (which is a true story). That's all I'm saying - you'll have see it yourself.
The first time I watched this movie was in Alaska with a Siberian Yupik (Eskimo) friend of mine. From both of our perspectives we were impressed with how historically and culturally accurate it seemed to be. The interesting part came at the ending - he expected it, and it caught me with an emotionally gripping surprise I'll never forget.
I own about ten DVDs. I only purchase DVDs if they are magnificent and hard to find. This one is both. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Footnotes in movie books are likely to reduce this swashbuckling adventure down to a simple description: it was the first movie to star Leonardo DiCaprio after the phenomenal success of Titanic. As such it automatically attracted a box-office stampede of Leo's young female fans, but critical reaction was deservedly mixed. Having earned his directorial debut after writing the Oscar-winning script for Mel Gibson's Braveheart, Randall Wallace wrote and directed this ambitious version of the often-filmed classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. DiCaprio plays dual roles as the despotic King Louis XIV, who rules France with an iron fist, and the king's twin brother, Philippe, who languishes in prison under an iron mask, his identity concealed to prevent an overthrow of Louis' throne. But Louis' abuse of power ultimately enrages Athos (John Malkovich), one of the original Four Musketeers, who recruits his former partners (Gabriel Byrne, Gérard Depardieu, and Jeremy Irons) in a plot to liberate Philippe and install him as the king's identical replacement. Once this plot is set in motion and the Musketeers are each given moments in the spotlight, the film kicks into gear and offers plenty of entertainment in the grand style of vintage swashbucklers. But it's also sidetracked by excessive length and disposable subplots, and for all his post-Titanic star power, the boyish DiCaprio just isn't yet "man" enough to be fully convincing in his title role. Still, this is an entertaining movie, no less enjoyable for falling short of the greatness to which it aspired. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (168)

As much fun as the book...
Movie adaptations of books are prone to disappointment - But not so with this film adaptation of "The Man in the Iron Mask," the third book in the Musketeer trilogy by master Alexandre Dumas.

Unlike the earlier "Three Musketeers" released by Disney (featuring Oliver Platt, Charlie Sheen, Chris O'Donnel and Kiefer Sutherland), which was aimed at a younger audience, "Iron Mask" is aimed at a more sophisticated adult audience. It aims past the raucus swashbuckling (although there is plenty of action to satisfy) and strives toward deeper character development in an almost introspective manner. From d'Artagnan's severe sense of duty to Aramis' penitence to Athos' alternating joie de vivre and ennui to Portos' fatherly love, with an underlying religous tone, the "Iron Mask" underscores the human struggle toward virtue and a supernatural code of morality.

The cast, including Jeremy Irons, Gabriel Byrne, Gerard Depardieu, John Malkovich and DiCaprio) is superb - with the exception that Malkovich's characteristic American accent seems out of place juxtaposed to the more British and French tinge of his fellow musketeers; and, more importantly, that the young DiCaprio (who has since matured) has yet to 'come of age' as an actor in this movie. The direction by "Braveheart"'s Randall Wallace is outstanding, with good cinematography and composition, well-planned pacing and a well-written and edited screenplay adaptation of the work.

Of course, the credit to the success of this movie is that the original work by Dumas is a page-turner literary classic! I highly recommend reading the complete trilogy: "The Three Musketeers," "Twenty Years After" and "The Man in the Iron Mask."

For hands-down the best translation of a Dumas work to film, I highly recommend "The Count of Monte Cristo," featuring the excellent Jim Caviezel.

Not Perfect, but Interesting
This movie is not unlike its central character(s) -- twins separated at birth, developing in two different directions. There's the movie for the squealing teens -- basically Leo DiCaprio, in all kinds of costumes, doing his cute-as-a-button routine as both hero and villain. Then there's the movie for everybody else -- a somber, complex story full of superb middle-aged actors who finally find honor and redemption at too high a cost. The two sides of the movie do fit together -- DiCaprio is a surprisingly good actor when he has the likes of Malkovich and Gabriel Byrne feeding him his cues -- but the fit is never perfect. The old guard side of the story is slow-paced at times, because it develops a personal plot line for every single Musketeer, but it gets there in the end. If you like the movie the first time, a re-watching will bring up new and interesting nuances. The best thing in the film (if you're not female and 17) is John Malkovich, whose version of Athos jumps believably from homicidal obsessive to loving father figure without ever touching middle ground. The movie is too flawed to be called 'great,' but what it does well it does very, very well.

True to Dumas
I have read the entire Musketeer series. This version closely tracks its written counterpart. It was well acted and involved the viewer in both the comedy and pathos Dumas was expert at entertaining his readers with. I was actually surprised by diCaprio's performance. I thought he showed great versatility in playing the dual roles. I loved Jeremy Irons in the role of d'Artagnan and I really liked Depardieu too in the role of Porthos. I have played my copy several times for guests in my home. It is a movie that engenders thought about good and evil and shows that, sometimes, it is important to do the right thing --- just because it is right to do.

Starry show for "Man in the Iron Mask"
"THe man in the iron mask" is probably best known for being DiCaprios first film after Titanic, and probably all that itll be remembered, or thanked for. The plot is twisted like much of Dumas' novels in recent film adaptions (such as "The Count of MOnte Cristo")but is still a good film to watch, once you can look over some imperfections in the various actors accents and very television-like twist at the end, that does pose as a suprise to a viewer, whether s/he has read the Musketeer novels or not.
The costumes and scenery are georgous. The huge budget shows not only in the starry cast on show, but in the quality of the interiors of Marseilles and the country side exteriors for Philippes transformation and training. The acting is spontaneous although it plays like a pantomine at times (such as Depardieu's consistent farting and incompetence with three women at one time. Malcovich mid-west accent and Iron's noble countenance somehow match (similar to "Dangerous Liasons" with Close and Malkovich)and Byrnes tragic/romantic/hero passes not exactly for the D'Artanian of the popular screen, his Irish accent also is another mix in the bake.
The directing makes the most of all that is on offer (such as the musketeers charging into musket fire, elaborate chase scenes on the kidnapping of the king and the squalor of the Bastille) and the music complements each scene beautifully that it stands out.
"Man in the Iron Mask" is overall a good film, not a landmark adaptation, but good entertainment of a better quality.

Really fine movie
I bought this movie only recently and really liked it.
I thought EVERYONE was utterly convincing and excellent especially Leo who plays both evil and innocent equally well.
However does anybody note here that something is brought in that was in no other version and not the book : Dartagnan is the father of the king and his brother?
Hmmmm.
But EXCELLENT FILM and I recomment it. ... Read more

Reviews (84)

A tour de force!
Why haven't this film been praised in America? It is one of the best films I have ever seen! I know that most people don't like watching foreign films with English subtitles, which is why they miss out on great stories and actors.

La Femme Nikita is the story of a street-smart woman (played by Anne Parillaud) who is kidnapped and trained to become a professional assassin. She has to give up her identity and become the big Government secret. The film has a lot of interesting action scenes -- enough to satisfy the James Bondesque film era. The difference, of course, is that we get to watch a great heroine in action for a change. Also, you will enjoy the strong Pygmalion theme in the film.

I know of people who have seen The Point of No Return (the American version of this film) with Bridget Fonda and the USA Network series based on this film, but the original is always the best. Give this amazing French film a whirl and embark on the experience of great foreign films.

A very different French Foreign Legionnaire
Nikita (Anne Parillaud) is a drug-addicted street urchin who commits murder during a robbery attempt. She is convicted, imprisoned, and executed by lethal injection. Nikita awakens in a Government facility, learns that her family attended her burial, and learns that she has a choice -- become a (disposable) Government agent/assassin or die. Nikita reluctantly chooses life. Nikita is trained in weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, and charm. Nikita accepts all of her training with apathy and disdain, but Nikita survives her training and becomes a Government agent/assassin. And Nikita's missions continuously tear her life apart ...

French director Luc Besson's film "La Femme Nikita" is the basis for the American remake "Point of No Return" starring Bridget Fonda, and also for the "La Femme Nikita" television series. Luc Besson's version is *superior*. Anne Parillaud grows throughout her transformation from hostile street urchin to reluctant Government agent/assassin, combining toughness with *fragile femininity*. Jean-Hugues Anglade plays Nikita's friend Marco who loves and emotionally supports his woman of mystery. Jean Reno ("The Professional") plays 'The Cleaner', the assassin who arrives when one of Nikita's missions goes horribly wrong.

Eric Serra's wonderful jazz score, the European setting, the flowing French dialogue, and Anne Parillaud's tough but fragile femininity combine to make "La Femme Nikita" a memorable film.

Nikita
After a bloody shootout at a pharmacy where all of her gang memeber friends are killed, Nikita (Parillaud), high on drugs, kills a policeman in cold blood and is captured and judged for the murder. However, instead of the gas chamber, she gets recruited to a top secret government agency to be trained as an agent.

At first, she's confused with the situation, but soon enough she's back to normal, not caring for anything around her and acting like the social misfit she is. All the while there's Bob (Karyo), the agent assigned to her case. He treats Nikita like he couldn't care less for her, yet finds her rather amusing and interesting. Even when his superior tells him that she'll never make it, he insists that she has the stuff to be a good agent.

After a while, Nikita comes around and accepts her fate. She continues her training up to the point that three years pass. She's now ready to go back to the real world and Bob chooses her birthday to take her out to a restaurant on what turns out to be more of a mission than a date.

Once outside, Nikita meets Marco (Anglade), who works as a cashier at a supermarket. They fall in love and move together, but their happiness is continuosly interrupted by Bob and the missions he sends Nikita on.

Will Nikita be able to balance her double life? Will Marco figure the whole thing out?

Besson threads an interesting story using well developed characters (the movie revolves around these three characters basically) and interesting set ups for Nikita's missions. The action scenes are well crafted and the acting is really good.

There's a brief appearance by Jean Reno (The Crimson Rivers, León) as another hit man.

This film was the basis for the Peta Wilson TV series and also for an American remake starring Bridget Fonda.

Riveting Action
Director Luc Besson gets it. Besson, a Frenchman no less, understands what separates a juvenile, mindless action movie from a truly smart, devilishly suspensful cinema experience. Using a clever hybrid of European sensuality and sophistication, along with American notions of wild gunplay and bloodshed, Besson weaves an absorbing tale of murder and betrayal. His characters are chilling and relatively simple, while the world they inhabit is explicitly cosmopolitan in its cross Atlantic treachery. Besson sees the tools this setting offers and pushes them to the figurative hilt.

The intriguing story centers around Nikita, a lithe and skillful street urchin played by the violently harried Anne Parillaud. An urban nomad, Nikita is picked up by the mysterious Rico, a role assumed by the ashen faced operator Marc Duret. Rico's motives are unclear at first, but it soon becomes clear that he is not some agent of charity, he is dedicated to molding Nikitas mind in a certain, deadly way. Using her own isolation and his own psychological tricks, Rico, with the help of others in the "group", Rico begins to train Nikita in the arts of death and stealthy assassination. Benefitting a shadowy branch of the French government, Nikita will become an undercover killing machine, moving in and out of various international locales and dispatching her targets ruthlessly. Along the way, Rico must break her spirit, an extremely difficult task, and then rebuild her, teaching her the suave arts of high society and the brute tactics of international murder.

Although Nikita resists, she soon gains a reliance on her new teachers, especially Rico, who has a feeling about her. His support is rewarded as Nikita takes to the field for the first time, and the audience is treated to a ripping good action scene. Nikita assumes a somewhat normal life, striking up a relationship, living a life unknown to her. Of course, as she gallavants around the continent, she is forced to pull off daunting and extreme hits, which are portrayed lovingly by Besson. The strange connection between Nikita and Rico begin to strain as Nikita feels the emotional considerable stress of living two lives at once. Her position becomes more untenable as she becomes wrapped up into a violent spiral of severely unethical murder, including the murderously adriot personage of Jean Reno, who wields his 9mm like some kind of quasi-mythical broadsword. His extreme mission and its repercussions soon toss Nikita into a very dangerous position, and theres only one way out. You guessed it, shooting.

La Femme Nikita is one of those movies that just never stops impressing the viewer with its sheer audacity. The spirit it conveys, one of shady slaughter and grand stage is just mesmerizing, and the simple but layered characters bring their own murderious tint to the whole spectacle. A great example of what a smart action movie can be.

sensitive and dangerous
Sensitive, sophisticated, violent, and exquisite are some of the adjectives that could best describe this tour de force movie by Luc Besson. Unlike most action movies which depend on high body counts and explosives, this movie moves carefully forward as Nikita is transformed from a drug using criminial to a controlled killer. Besides the story, I especially enjoyed the view of french culture. Parisian restaurants, apartments, and gritty streets are beautifully filmed by Besson. Most importantly, the movie contains a female lead character which contrasts Hollywood's obsession with testosterone filled actors who can never enunciate their words. Nikita is played brilliantly. In fact, Nikita hardly speaks throughout the film, yet the viewer can still observe her true character. In my opinion that is an example of brilliant film making. Do yourself a favor and buy this DVD. ... Read more

Description

Anne Parillaud (La Femme Nikita) is fiery, sultry and explosively funny as a movie director who’ll do anything to get her shot. For director Jeanne (Parillaud), sex is no laughing matter. She doesn’t find it funny that her two leading actors can’t stand each other when she’s about to shoot the most important moment in her film…the sex scene. The actress objects to nudity, the actor won’t take off hissocks, and the only thing heating up between them is their tempers. At her wits’ end, Jeannetries everything in her power to seduce, intimidate and sweet-talk her reluctant young lovers into performing the film’s sexy final scene! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Behind the scenes with Breillat... Something different
I actually enjoyed this movie. I did not find it boring or dull. I think viewers who approach this expecting another typical Breillat film (provocative, shocking) will indeed find it tedious. It is different from her other films. It doesn't have their sexual/moral agenda. Neither is it a comedy. It is almost documentary-like. I had the impression that I was watching a "Behind The Scenes" featurette that could have been appended to any one of her other films. The whole movie revolves around a director (obviously Breillat herself) who has trouble trying to set up a crucial sex scene in her movie because her two stars detest each other. For much of the movie, we watch her plead, cajole and threaten, her actors into giving her the performance she wants.

This is more a movie about the mechanics of making a film, specifically of shooting a sex scene and the difficult relationship between director and actor.

There isn't much nudity or actual sex in this film (well, at least compared to her other movies), although we do get to see Roxane Mesquida (the pretty sister in Fat Girl) full frontal and Gregoire Colin complete with rampant prosthetic. I can understand why it is derided, especially by fans of Breillat, but you can't expect a director to always provoke or shock. How boring would that be. Here we see her reflecting on the craft of film-making. If you have some interest in film-making or at least how Breillat herself shoots her films, this would be enlightening.

MGM's transfer is in the original widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (anamorphic). The source print is clean. Colors are natural. Contrast and sharpness are fine. There is fine film grain throughout although this isn't distracting. Thankfully the English subtitles are optional.

"You want total obedience or you get destructive."
As a fan of controversial French Film director, Catherine Breillat, I expect her films to be thought provoking and unusual. Breillat's films focus on female sexuality and her unique no-holds barred approach is fascinating. Unfortunately, Breillat's film "Sex is Comedy" does not match the standard of her earlier films "36 Fillette", "Romance", "A Real Young Girl" and "Fat Girl."

"Sex is Comedy" is the story of a French film director, Jeanne (Anne Parillaud) who is trying to finish making her latest film. The film calls for the two main stars to participate in one romantic scene on the beach, and a final bedroom scene. But there's a problem--the two young stars--known only as "the Actor" (Gregoire Colin) and "the Actress" (Roxane Mesquida) can't stand each other, and their lack of chemistry shows in every gesture. This presents a problem for Jeanne. Most of the film shows how Jeanne negotiates her way through this problem by cajoling, coaching, and demanding the performance she wants from each of her stars.

The film shows how the director can be guilty of dehumanizing actors and actresses through expectations of performance (in one scene, Jeanne very deliberately stares at the actor's fake phallus to undermine his confidence), and the film's main emphasis is squarely on Jeanne. One cannot help but wonder if the film is based on autobiographical experiences (Breillat directed the film and wrote the script). There are some tantalizing hints that perhaps some sparks will fly between Jeanne and "The Actor"--she calls him a "hustler", but there are certainly no sparks between Colin and Mesquida. "The Actor" complains about "The Actress", and after watching a scene or two, we begin to see his point. While those interested in the process of filmmaking may find the film has some merit, I, for one, found the film tedious and boring. The entire idea that a French female film director shows how a French female film director pulls a film together by her unique, irreplaceable and almost svengali-like skills just doesn't work for me. It's all a little too navel-gazing (and reminiscent of the films of Henry Jaglom) for my tastes. The DVD comes with optional French, Spanish, and English subtitles--displacedhuman ... Read more

Amazon.com

John Landis was the perfect director for Innocent Blood, a horror-comedy hybrid that does for French vampires in Pittsburgh what Landis's An American Werewolf in London did for hungry lycanthropes in Picadilly Square. Anne Parillaud, the sexy star of La Femme Nikita, is perfectly cast as a beguiling vampire who must feed regularly on human blood, and when she spots a local Mafia kingpin (Robert Loggia), she says to herself, "I think I'll try Italian!" But once the Mafioso realizes he's now an undead vampire, he goes on a rampant crusade of bloodthirsty vengeance, biting his soldiers and consigliere (Don Rickles, no less!) to recruit an army of undead henchmen. Pretty soon Parillaud's teamed up with an undercover cop (Anthony LaPaglia) in an attempt to stop her victims from proliferating throughout the Pittsburgh underworld. (Disconnecting the central nervous system will kill a bloodsucker, and the powerful Parillaud can snap necks as efficiently as she bites them.)

Landis keeps it all moving at a raucous pace, favoring humor without sacrificing intelligent plotting and interesting characters. Parillaud evokes sympathy even when her eyes glow fiery red and she's ripping the throats out of her victims--hey, she's only trying to survive, right? And Loggia takes one of his best-ever roles and runs with it, spouting lines of Mafioso dialogue made hilarious by the fact that he's a walking, blood-soaked corpse. Morbid humor and gruesome makeup are abundant here, as well as Landis's trademark inclusion of cameos by such horror-movie icons as Dario Argento, Sam Raimi, and monster-fan extraordinaire Forrest J. Ackerman. With tenderness, toughness, a dash of kink, and plenty of laughs, this is the kind of guilty pleasure that includes "I've Got You Under My Skin" on the soundtrack, just for the sheer enjoyment of a campy double-entendre. How can you resist? --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (84)

A tour de force!
Why haven't this film been praised in America? It is one of the best films I have ever seen! I know that most people don't like watching foreign films with English subtitles, which is why they miss out on great stories and actors.

La Femme Nikita is the story of a street-smart woman (played by Anne Parillaud) who is kidnapped and trained to become a professional assassin. She has to give up her identity and become the big Government secret. The film has a lot of interesting action scenes -- enough to satisfy the James Bondesque film era. The difference, of course, is that we get to watch a great heroine in action for a change. Also, you will enjoy the strong Pygmalion theme in the film.

I know of people who have seen The Point of No Return (the American version of this film) with Bridget Fonda and the USA Network series based on this film, but the original is always the best. Give this amazing French film a whirl and embark on the experience of great foreign films.

A very different French Foreign Legionnaire
Nikita (Anne Parillaud) is a drug-addicted street urchin who commits murder during a robbery attempt. She is convicted, imprisoned, and executed by lethal injection. Nikita awakens in a Government facility, learns that her family attended her burial, and learns that she has a choice -- become a (disposable) Government agent/assassin or die. Nikita reluctantly chooses life. Nikita is trained in weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, and charm. Nikita accepts all of her training with apathy and disdain, but Nikita survives her training and becomes a Government agent/assassin. And Nikita's missions continuously tear her life apart ...

French director Luc Besson's film "La Femme Nikita" is the basis for the American remake "Point of No Return" starring Bridget Fonda, and also for the "La Femme Nikita" television series. Luc Besson's version is *superior*. Anne Parillaud grows throughout her transformation from hostile street urchin to reluctant Government agent/assassin, combining toughness with *fragile femininity*. Jean-Hugues Anglade plays Nikita's friend Marco who loves and emotionally supports his woman of mystery. Jean Reno ("The Professional") plays 'The Cleaner', the assassin who arrives when one of Nikita's missions goes horribly wrong.

Eric Serra's wonderful jazz score, the European setting, the flowing French dialogue, and Anne Parillaud's tough but fragile femininity combine to make "La Femme Nikita" a memorable film.

Nikita
After a bloody shootout at a pharmacy where all of her gang memeber friends are killed, Nikita (Parillaud), high on drugs, kills a policeman in cold blood and is captured and judged for the murder. However, instead of the gas chamber, she gets recruited to a top secret government agency to be trained as an agent.

At first, she's confused with the situation, but soon enough she's back to normal, not caring for anything around her and acting like the social misfit she is. All the while there's Bob (Karyo), the agent assigned to her case. He treats Nikita like he couldn't care less for her, yet finds her rather amusing and interesting. Even when his superior tells him that she'll never make it, he insists that she has the stuff to be a good agent.

After a while, Nikita comes around and accepts her fate. She continues her training up to the point that three years pass. She's now ready to go back to the real world and Bob chooses her birthday to take her out to a restaurant on what turns out to be more of a mission than a date.

Once outside, Nikita meets Marco (Anglade), who works as a cashier at a supermarket. They fall in love and move together, but their happiness is continuosly interrupted by Bob and the missions he sends Nikita on.

Will Nikita be able to balance her double life? Will Marco figure the whole thing out?

Besson threads an interesting story using well developed characters (the movie revolves around these three characters basically) and interesting set ups for Nikita's missions. The action scenes are well crafted and the acting is really good.

There's a brief appearance by Jean Reno (The Crimson Rivers, León) as another hit man.

This film was the basis for the Peta Wilson TV series and also for an American remake starring Bridget Fonda.

Riveting Action
Director Luc Besson gets it. Besson, a Frenchman no less, understands what separates a juvenile, mindless action movie from a truly smart, devilishly suspensful cinema experience. Using a clever hybrid of European sensuality and sophistication, along with American notions of wild gunplay and bloodshed, Besson weaves an absorbing tale of murder and betrayal. His characters are chilling and relatively simple, while the world they inhabit is explicitly cosmopolitan in its cross Atlantic treachery. Besson sees the tools this setting offers and pushes them to the figurative hilt.

The intriguing story centers around Nikita, a lithe and skillful street urchin played by the violently harried Anne Parillaud. An urban nomad, Nikita is picked up by the mysterious Rico, a role assumed by the ashen faced operator Marc Duret. Rico's motives are unclear at first, but it soon becomes clear that he is not some agent of charity, he is dedicated to molding Nikitas mind in a certain, deadly way. Using her own isolation and his own psychological tricks, Rico, with the help of others in the "group", Rico begins to train Nikita in the arts of death and stealthy assassination. Benefitting a shadowy branch of the French government, Nikita will become an undercover killing machine, moving in and out of various international locales and dispatching her targets ruthlessly. Along the way, Rico must break her spirit, an extremely difficult task, and then rebuild her, teaching her the suave arts of high society and the brute tactics of international murder.

Although Nikita resists, she soon gains a reliance on her new teachers, especially Rico, who has a feeling about her. His support is rewarded as Nikita takes to the field for the first time, and the audience is treated to a ripping good action scene. Nikita assumes a somewhat normal life, striking up a relationship, living a life unknown to her. Of course, as she gallavants around the continent, she is forced to pull off daunting and extreme hits, which are portrayed lovingly by Besson. The strange connection between Nikita and Rico begin to strain as Nikita feels the emotional considerable stress of living two lives at once. Her position becomes more untenable as she becomes wrapped up into a violent spiral of severely unethical murder, including the murderously adriot personage of Jean Reno, who wields his 9mm like some kind of quasi-mythical broadsword. His extreme mission and its repercussions soon toss Nikita into a very dangerous position, and theres only one way out. You guessed it, shooting.

La Femme Nikita is one of those movies that just never stops impressing the viewer with its sheer audacity. The spirit it conveys, one of shady slaughter and grand stage is just mesmerizing, and the simple but layered characters bring their own murderious tint to the whole spectacle. A great example of what a smart action movie can be.

sensitive and dangerous
Sensitive, sophisticated, violent, and exquisite are some of the adjectives that could best describe this tour de force movie by Luc Besson. Unlike most action movies which depend on high body counts and explosives, this movie moves carefully forward as Nikita is transformed from a drug using criminial to a controlled killer. Besides the story, I especially enjoyed the view of french culture. Parisian restaurants, apartments, and gritty streets are beautifully filmed by Besson. Most importantly, the movie contains a female lead character which contrasts Hollywood's obsession with testosterone filled actors who can never enunciate their words. Nikita is played brilliantly. In fact, Nikita hardly speaks throughout the film, yet the viewer can still observe her true character. In my opinion that is an example of brilliant film making. Do yourself a favor and buy this DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (84)

A tour de force!
Why haven't this film been praised in America? It is one of the best films I have ever seen! I know that most people don't like watching foreign films with English subtitles, which is why they miss out on great stories and actors.

La Femme Nikita is the story of a street-smart woman (played by Anne Parillaud) who is kidnapped and trained to become a professional assassin. She has to give up her identity and become the big Government secret. The film has a lot of interesting action scenes -- enough to satisfy the James Bondesque film era. The difference, of course, is that we get to watch a great heroine in action for a change. Also, you will enjoy the strong Pygmalion theme in the film.

I know of people who have seen The Point of No Return (the American version of this film) with Bridget Fonda and the USA Network series based on this film, but the original is always the best. Give this amazing French film a whirl and embark on the experience of great foreign films.

A very different French Foreign Legionnaire
Nikita (Anne Parillaud) is a drug-addicted street urchin who commits murder during a robbery attempt. She is convicted, imprisoned, and executed by lethal injection. Nikita awakens in a Government facility, learns that her family attended her burial, and learns that she has a choice -- become a (disposable) Government agent/assassin or die. Nikita reluctantly chooses life. Nikita is trained in weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, and charm. Nikita accepts all of her training with apathy and disdain, but Nikita survives her training and becomes a Government agent/assassin. And Nikita's missions continuously tear her life apart ...

French director Luc Besson's film "La Femme Nikita" is the basis for the American remake "Point of No Return" starring Bridget Fonda, and also for the "La Femme Nikita" television series. Luc Besson's version is *superior*. Anne Parillaud grows throughout her transformation from hostile street urchin to reluctant Government agent/assassin, combining toughness with *fragile femininity*. Jean-Hugues Anglade plays Nikita's friend Marco who loves and emotionally supports his woman of mystery. Jean Reno ("The Professional") plays 'The Cleaner', the assassin who arrives when one of Nikita's missions goes horribly wrong.

Eric Serra's wonderful jazz score, the European setting, the flowing French dialogue, and Anne Parillaud's tough but fragile femininity combine to make "La Femme Nikita" a memorable film.

Nikita
After a bloody shootout at a pharmacy where all of her gang memeber friends are killed, Nikita (Parillaud), high on drugs, kills a policeman in cold blood and is captured and judged for the murder. However, instead of the gas chamber, she gets recruited to a top secret government agency to be trained as an agent.

At first, she's confused with the situation, but soon enough she's back to normal, not caring for anything around her and acting like the social misfit she is. All the while there's Bob (Karyo), the agent assigned to her case. He treats Nikita like he couldn't care less for her, yet finds her rather amusing and interesting. Even when his superior tells him that she'll never make it, he insists that she has the stuff to be a good agent.

After a while, Nikita comes around and accepts her fate. She continues her training up to the point that three years pass. She's now ready to go back to the real world and Bob chooses her birthday to take her out to a restaurant on what turns out to be more of a mission than a date.

Once outside, Nikita meets Marco (Anglade), who works as a cashier at a supermarket. They fall in love and move together, but their happiness is continuosly interrupted by Bob and the missions he sends Nikita on.

Will Nikita be able to balance her double life? Will Marco figure the whole thing out?

Besson threads an interesting story using well developed characters (the movie revolves around these three characters basically) and interesting set ups for Nikita's missions. The action scenes are well crafted and the acting is really good.

There's a brief appearance by Jean Reno (The Crimson Rivers, León) as another hit man.

This film was the basis for the Peta Wilson TV series and also for an American remake starring Bridget Fonda.

Riveting Action
Director Luc Besson gets it. Besson, a Frenchman no less, understands what separates a juvenile, mindless action movie from a truly smart, devilishly suspensful cinema experience. Using a clever hybrid of European sensuality and sophistication, along with American notions of wild gunplay and bloodshed, Besson weaves an absorbing tale of murder and betrayal. His characters are chilling and relatively simple, while the world they inhabit is explicitly cosmopolitan in its cross Atlantic treachery. Besson sees the tools this setting offers and pushes them to the figurative hilt.

The intriguing story centers around Nikita, a lithe and skillful street urchin played by the violently harried Anne Parillaud. An urban nomad, Nikita is picked up by the mysterious Rico, a role assumed by the ashen faced operator Marc Duret. Rico's motives are unclear at first, but it soon becomes clear that he is not some agent of charity, he is dedicated to molding Nikitas mind in a certain, deadly way. Using her own isolation and his own psychological tricks, Rico, with the help of others in the "group", Rico begins to train Nikita in the arts of death and stealthy assassination. Benefitting a shadowy branch of the French government, Nikita will become an undercover killing machine, moving in and out of various international locales and dispatching her targets ruthlessly. Along the way, Rico must break her spirit, an extremely difficult task, and then rebuild her, teaching her the suave arts of high society and the brute tactics of international murder.

Although Nikita resists, she soon gains a reliance on her new teachers, especially Rico, who has a feeling about her. His support is rewarded as Nikita takes to the field for the first time, and the audience is treated to a ripping good action scene. Nikita assumes a somewhat normal life, striking up a relationship, living a life unknown to her. Of course, as she gallavants around the continent, she is forced to pull off daunting and extreme hits, which are portrayed lovingly by Besson. The strange connection between Nikita and Rico begin to strain as Nikita feels the emotional considerable stress of living two lives at once. Her position becomes more untenable as she becomes wrapped up into a violent spiral of severely unethical murder, including the murderously adriot personage of Jean Reno, who wields his 9mm like some kind of quasi-mythical broadsword. His extreme mission and its repercussions soon toss Nikita into a very dangerous position, and theres only one way out. You guessed it, shooting.

La Femme Nikita is one of those movies that just never stops impressing the viewer with its sheer audacity. The spirit it conveys, one of shady slaughter and grand stage is just mesmerizing, and the simple but layered characters bring their own murderious tint to the whole spectacle. A great example of what a smart action movie can be.

sensitive and dangerous
Sensitive, sophisticated, violent, and exquisite are some of the adjectives that could best describe this tour de force movie by Luc Besson. Unlike most action movies which depend on high body counts and explosives, this movie moves carefully forward as Nikita is transformed from a drug using criminial to a controlled killer. Besides the story, I especially enjoyed the view of french culture. Parisian restaurants, apartments, and gritty streets are beautifully filmed by Besson. Most importantly, the movie contains a female lead character which contrasts Hollywood's obsession with testosterone filled actors who can never enunciate their words. Nikita is played brilliantly. In fact, Nikita hardly speaks throughout the film, yet the viewer can still observe her true character. In my opinion that is an example of brilliant film making. Do yourself a favor and buy this DVD. ... Read more