The Count of Monte Cristo

This film is the best example I have of how the audience you see a movie with can affect your experience. Late one night in my first year of university, some friends of mine were going to see "The Count of Monte Cristo" and invited me to meet them at the movie theater. When I couldn't find them, I went in the theater and the showing sold out. My friends never made it in because they were late. I decided not to worry and just enjoy the show because I couldn't contact them. The theater was really close to the university and so the audience was entirely made up of students. There was a lot of cheering and applauding as we watched. Much of the credit to this film's entertainment value goes to the original story by Alexandre Dumas, who also wrote "The Three Musketeers" and "The Man in the Iron Mask". I also give a lot of credit to director Kevin Reynolds. He uses contrast and montage very well in this film. He affectively creates pure hopelessness in order to make the victories of our main characters all the more satisfying. Everyone loves an underdog. The acting and locations used in the movie are also noteworthy in this show. The filmmakers did a great job in simplifying the story for the film. It is a revenge story but I also see it as a story of redemption for our main character; redemption from his own hate.

The villain Mondego is a complicated one but the script does a great job in explaining his grudge against the protagonist Edmond Dantes. It may be confusing as to why this young, wealthy viscount would be jealous of his sailor friend but we have some good exposition scenes to help us understand. There is the story that Mercedes tells of their childhood about the whistle and the pony. Also, when Edmond demands a reason for Mondego's betrayal, Mondego shouts "Because you're the son of a clerk and I'm not supposed to want to be you." It seems as though Mondego is jealous of Edmond's happiness. It is true that money can't make you happy and Mondego is not happy with his life. If he can't be happy, he can't stand his "friend" being happy with relatively nothing. Of course, Mondego wants Mercedes to himself. Mondego's betrayal wouldn't have worked in the first place if Villefort had not been selfish. Villefort will do anything to protect his career from his father's loyalties to Napoleon, even sending an innocent man to jail. What makes Edmond's circumstance even more tragic is that the jailer of Chateau d'If, Dorleac, can tell that Edmond is telling the truth about his innocence. This makes Chateau d'If an even more depressing place because heartless men torture the innocent prisoners that the prison is meant for. Director Kevin Reynolds creates genuine despair by way of the montage showing the next seven years. Edmond loses his faith and becomes obsessed with revenge instead. The Priest is a welcome surprise and a deal is formed between them. Edmond will help in the Priest's second escape attempt in exchange for all the knowledge that the Priest possesses. With this new hope, the movie starts to become fun. I love the Priest's line, "He believes in you." It is so wise and so true. What a way to go out. Because I had seen "The Mask of Zorro" a few years earlier, I knew from the moment of the cave-in how Edmond was going to escape. I love how in the movie, Vampa is the smuggling ship captain. He & Jacopo are such lovable scoundrels and I also love their first scene with Edmond as Vampa lays out Edmond's options. Edmond's subsequent deal to spare Jacopo's life is also a great moment. I am grateful that Vampa lets Edmond go instead of in the book where Edmond escapes from the smugglers. Vampa is a much better character as an ally instead of as an obstacle. I enjoy how Edmond has many names in this show. He is Zatarra to the smugglers and after finding the treasure of Sparta, he becomes the Count of Monte Cristo.

The montage of the party invitations going out combined with the amazing entrance of the Count adds to the fun of this movie immensely. It is all because of the contrast with the hopelessness of Chateau d'If and how time is sped up for us watching. Edmond goes from having literally nothing in prison to being wealthier than his enemies. I love how Jacopo stays loyal to the Count. He is a man of his word, honoring his life debt. I like the breakfast scene between Albert and the Count. I ended up having a similar experience the next year after I saw this movie. Another great scene is Albert's birthday toast. The Count is genuine in his words to Albert because he truly does respect him, having no malice towards him. The Count is using Albert and Mercedes but because he still has feelings for Mercedes, he has some care for her son too. When I first saw this movie, I was under the impression that the Count was losing control of his plan of revenge. Jacopo reveals the existence of the treasure of Sparta and Villefort knows the Count wants to secretly transport a shipment he has. The Count could also let go of his vengeance and leave the city with Mercedes but he is obsessed to the point that he is blind to the possible consequences. Here is a fun fact: in the scene where Jacopo asks the Count why he can't just walk away, there is a long pause. This is an accident because actor James Caviezel forgot his line. The actors continued on with the scene anyways and it ended up making the scene better so the take was used in the movie. In the next scene, with the appearance of Vampa, I learned that the Count was in control of the situation all along just as he said. Jacopo spilled the beans on purpose about the treasure so that Mondego, Villefort and Danglars would conspire together against him. The Count takes his revenge legally because death is too good for them. He dramatically pulls the rug out from under their feet using the crimes they commit themselves. They put themselves in jail with the Count exposing them. I love the sudden match cut from Villefort in the sauna to the past scene between him and Mondego. The irony of Villefort's arrest is entertaining as is the line; "You didn't think I'd make it that easy, did you?" This was one of the aforementioned moments when the audience I was with broke into applause and cheering. As another fun fact, you hear thunder during the scene when Edmond reveals himself to Mondego. This was not added in post-production but occurred naturally just as Caviezel finished delivering his line and Reynolds left it in the finished film. Mondego returns to face Edmond because as he looks down the country road, he suddenly realizes a fate worse than Edmond being happy: Edmond now has happiness, love and money while Mondego has absolutely nothing. Out of all his enemies, Edmond only kills Mondego and I see that as justifiable. Edmond learns his lesson once he realizes that Albert is his son. He almost loses both of his son and Mercedes in his quest for revenge. This is the subtext of the final scene. Behind this entire revenge story is the subplot of a man who regains his faith. He was lost in an obsession that turned him into another man. His redemption is symbolically represented by the fact that the words "God will grant me justice" are no longer faded but freshly carved more legibly into the rock wall.

It wasn't until a decade after I saw "The Count of Monte Cristo" for the first time that I found out that Reynolds also directed "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and I like that movie a lot as well. The locations used to film this movie were amazing. I loved the Marseille and Monte Cristo island scenes as a result. I also enjoy the acting in this movie. This was my introduction to James Caviezel while Guy Pearce was a familiar name to me at the time due to the fact that "The Time Machine" came out the same year as this movie and was being advertized. Caviezel did such as good job in performing a naive young man who becomes a vengeful, charming count. I first saw Richard Harris in "Gladiator" and the year previous to the release of "The Count of Monte Cristo", he brought the beloved literary character Dumbledore to life on the screen. His performance in this show was equally masterful. Michael Wincott, who was in "Prince of Thieves", was a great choice for Dorleac. He has a very unique voice and I adore his delivery of the line, "I don't have all day. Actually, I do. I've got all the time in the world!!" It is a hilarious moment. This was also my introduction to Henry Cavill who would later portray the "Man of Steel".

As I walked back to my university apartment that night when I first saw "The Count of Monte Cristo" I was shaking due to how good the movie was and it still is awesome. You have contrast and drama that make the movie fun. The film has a great message as well. This is a show that you have to watch with at least one other person.

4.5 Stars