- Release year: 2024
- Director: Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte.
- Producer: Dimitri Rassam.
- Screenplay by: Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière.
- Cinematography by: Nicolas Bolduc.
- Music by: Jérôme Rebotier.
Synopsis: a man is betrayed by his best friend and sent to jail, where he plots his revenge against all involved in his unfair punishment.
Shotgun Commentary: fantastic adaptation of a literary must-read. Absolutely riveting and gorgeous.
(Alexandre de La Partellière and Matthieu Delaporte, 2024).
Review
The Count of Monte-Cristo is a story about revenge and justice. Edmond Dantès (Pierre Niney) is betrayed by a group of men who envy him. Abusing their societal power, they accuse him of a crime he has not committed and confine him on an island, making everyone he knows think he’s dead. When he manages to break free, he sees all that he’s lost during his confinement and plots his revenge.
Ups and downs of a masterpiece
This cinematic adaptation of its homonymous legendary novel is, simply put, superb. The narrative is completely faithful to the story. It gets every relevant detail in, as you might have imagined considering its three hours of footage. Being the umpteenth version of the tale, it is not crazy to think that they might have changed the perspective a little, maybe change the period or other. Still, not only the movie doesn’t innovate, but it actually doubles down on accuracy, making it the best adaptation to date. Fans of the story will be delighted with this new adaptation.
The account doesn’t come without its fair share of nonsense and details you can’t help but connect to other films. Failing to send a search party after a man escapes from a prison, for example, is quite inconceivable.
(Alexandre de La Partellière and Matthieu Delaporte, 2024).
However, it is the Poirot-style get-ups (Agatha Christie’s Poirot, 1989-2013), and the masks that look straight out of the Mission Impossible saga (1996-2025), that take the cake when it comes to odd looking details. Regardless, they somehow work within the context of Edmond’s adventure, adding some whimsicality to an otherwise quite serious and slightly stressful venture.
By the book
Naturally, the set design and the cinematography are vital in the delivery of a good adaptation. In this case, it is clear that both departments have been managed by professionals who love their craft. Everything is in place, with no bizarre auditions that might put you off of the narrative. The locations are breathtaking, stealing your attention more than once despite whatever dramatic turn is taking place in them.
Additionally, the way all this artistry is presented is a work of art in itself. Every shot, movement and angle has a clear purpose. Often adding to the emotions of the moment, or hinting at events to come in the future.
Charming characters
The characters are the indisputable highlight of the feature. Never, in all the different adaptations of this story that have taken place, has there been a cast as perfect as this one. To say that every single one of them is exactly as you might have imagined them from the book would be falling short. Pierre Niney is the perfect Edmond Dantès. His ability to convey emotions with his eyes and to communicate silently all the turmoil that happens in Dantès head during the story is a wonder to behold. As for the supporting characters, they all embody their characters with such detail that it would be surprising to learn they haven’t read the book before.
All in all, The Count of Monte-Cristo is completely worth its three hours of duration. A story as marvellous as this classic deserves to be told as skilfully as it is in this feature. The settings, characterisations, writing and characters all blend seamlessly to form the story. A tale that is further enhances through the exquisite score. The compilation of tracks increases the emotional charge of each instance, shooting it straight to your heart.
Advice to take from this movie:
- If you are an aristocrat with a bunch of staff in the house, at least hire those who will call a doctor when you get stabbed multiple times?
- Revenge can very well also just be justice.
- Knowledge is power.
(Alexandre de La Partellière and Matthieu Delaporte, 2024).
What’s your take? Have you watched The Count of Monte-Cristo? What’s your favourite version of this well-known work?
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