The Count of Monte Cristo,Alexandre Dumas' timeless classic, is getting a new lease on life on the big screen thanks to directors Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre De La Patellière. Presented out of competition at the Cannes 2024 Film Festival and with a theatrical release scheduled for June 28, 2024, this film promises an epic interpretation of the story of betrayal, mysterious wealth, and meticulous revenge. Pierre Niney, famous for his role in Yves Saint-Laurent, plays Edmond Dantès, the tragic hero transformed into the powerful Count of Monte Cristo, accompanied by a talented cast including Bastien Bouillon, Anaïs Demoustier and Laurent Lafitte.
The film followsEdmond Dantès, a young sailor who is unjustly imprisoned on his wedding day because of a plot orchestrated by his so-called friends. After fourteen years ofincarceration in the sinister Château d'If, heescapes with the help of another prisoner who reveals the location of a hidden treasure. Enriched but disillusioned, Dantès reappears in Parisian society as the mysterious and magnificent Count of Monte Cristo, with a single goal: revenge on those who destroyed his life.
This adaptation is aimed at fans of historical dramas, adventure thrillers and all those fascinated by tales of revenge. Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre De La Patellière have promised a version that remains faithful to the spirit ofAlexandre Dumas, while injecting a modernity that could appeal to a new generation. Served by a five-star cast, and led by Pierre Niney, this is probably one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2024. With universal themes of betrayal, wealth, revenge and redemption, the film is set to captivate audiences with its sumptuous landscapes, powerful narrative and a possibly unforgettable performance by Pierre Niney. (Re)discover this epic tragedy of French literature.
Our opinion:
A classic of French literature, a cult story that has permeated culture for two centuries... And a formidable challenge for Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre De La Patellière, who in turn wanted to bring Alexandre Dumas' timeless novel to the screen. And let's face it: the challenge was a resounding success, not only for the directors, but also for the cast and crew.
After all, a film is a team effort, with everyone playing their part. In The Count of Monte Cristo, everyone's work is remarkable. Lighting, photography, sets, script, music... Each element contributes to our immersion, to the feelings that the story evokes.
From the very first seconds of the film, right through to the last scene, every shot hides a wealth of details, revealing the feelings and intimate thoughts of the characters. Edmond Dantès first appears in a stormy sea, battling against elements more powerful than himself, fighting altruistically to save the life of a stranger. The Count of Monte Cristo receives his enemies in a richly decorated mansion full of dark corners and secret rooms, pretending to be their friend only to lead them to their doom.
Throughout the story, the focus is on the psychology of the characters, their hidden agendas, their qualities and flaws, their hopes and fears. Of course, Edmond Dantès, played by Pierre Niney, is the star of the film. The French actor delivers an exceptional performance, showing with subtlety and intelligence the madness and despair that gradually overtake Dantès. Thanks to physical transformations and perfectly calibrated acting, Pierre Niney manages to make this oft-repeated character his own, while at the same time developing him logically throughout the story.
The film's other stars also shine: Bastion Bouillon (Fernand de Morcerf), Laurent Lafitte (the procureur de Villefort) and Patrick Mille (Baron Danglars) know how to make us hate their characters, without becoming caricatures. Nor do the young actors let themselves be overshadowed by their elders: Anamaria Vartolomei (Haydée), Julien de Saint Jean (Andréa Cavalcanti) and Vassili Schneider (Albert de Morcerf) also master their characters and the subtleties of their feelings.
The actors also benefit from a well-written script, and apt lines. Films based on old stories can suffer from the gap between our modernity and the novel's dated writing. Here, the contrast is mastered, and the dialogue and tone don't seem anachronistic, nor do they pull us out of the story. In fact, some of the lines are quite beautiful, paying tribute to the original work.
A film lasting almost three hours may put some people off. But rest assured: The Count of Monte Cristo doesn't suffer from length, and time flies by unnoticed. The various parts are well cut out, like chapters in a book, each one standing out from the others through its own tone, lighting and scenery. The pace is well maintained, although the final battle between Monte Cristo and Fernand de Morcerf lacks liveliness.
The Count of Monte Cristo is a great success, and should be seen without hesitation from June 28.
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