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Director: Christophe Gans
Writers: Sandra Vo-Anh & Christophe Gans (script), Jeanne-Marie (novel)
Cast: Vincent Cassel, Léa Seydoux, André Dussollier
Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Language: French
Impressive film version of the classic French 18th century fairy tale. Beauty in the Beast is a well known story that has been put onto celluloid many times in the past. This 2014 French version imparts impressive world building thanks to the digital age. The enchanted kingdom of a cursed king comes to life with stunning vistas and alluring sets that weave this netherworld into the very fauna of nature.
I was immediately drawn into the story of Belle and her family. Each scene moved with a satisfying pace, taking time enough to weave details into the back story of Belle. Thus we know the kind of person she is and that then grounds the actions she takes when she's imprisoned in the Beast castle. The Belle of this film is presented as a real person... she's both generous and stubborn, kind and yet she's no trinket to adorn the castle walls. She's flesh and blood and very real.
The Beast too is multi dimensional. He reeks of things gone wild. He's no saint, he's a wild creature...a thing that hates himself and needs to earn Belle's love so he can shed his self loathing and reclaim his humanity.
The actress who played Belle Sandra Vo-Ahn was not only perfectly cast but looked fabulous in her period piece, fancy gowns, kudos to the couture.
La Belle et la Bête
(Christophe Gans 2014)
Beauty and the Beast (2014)(Christophe Gans 2014)
Director: Christophe Gans
Writers: Sandra Vo-Anh & Christophe Gans (script), Jeanne-Marie (novel)
Cast: Vincent Cassel, Léa Seydoux, André Dussollier
Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Language: French
"An unexpected romance blooms after the the youngest daughter of a merchant who has fallen on hard times offers herself to the mysterious beast to which her father has become indebted."
Impressive film version of the classic French 18th century fairy tale. Beauty in the Beast is a well known story that has been put onto celluloid many times in the past. This 2014 French version imparts impressive world building thanks to the digital age. The enchanted kingdom of a cursed king comes to life with stunning vistas and alluring sets that weave this netherworld into the very fauna of nature.
I was immediately drawn into the story of Belle and her family. Each scene moved with a satisfying pace, taking time enough to weave details into the back story of Belle. Thus we know the kind of person she is and that then grounds the actions she takes when she's imprisoned in the Beast castle. The Belle of this film is presented as a real person... she's both generous and stubborn, kind and yet she's no trinket to adorn the castle walls. She's flesh and blood and very real.
The Beast too is multi dimensional. He reeks of things gone wild. He's no saint, he's a wild creature...a thing that hates himself and needs to earn Belle's love so he can shed his self loathing and reclaim his humanity.
The actress who played Belle Sandra Vo-Ahn was not only perfectly cast but looked fabulous in her period piece, fancy gowns, kudos to the couture.