Ladyhawke (1985)

Ladyhawke (1985)

 6/10

Starring

Matthew Broderick

Rutger Hauer

Michelle Pfeiffer

Leo McKern

John Wood

 

Directed by Richard Donner

 

I enjoyed this film more than I thought I would. Although it didn’t fully capitalize on the swordplay and sorcery combination, it managed to deliver an entertaining adventure romance, with twists and turns that I did not expect at all. I appreciated how the film kept some secrets, only revealing them halfway through.

Matthew Broderick brought the comedy, with his wisecracks hitting home at just the right moments, while the rest of the cast were more serious and handled all the adult stuff.

Visually, the film was enjoyable, and the cinematography stood out. However, its story prevented the film from becoming a classic and achieving major box office success at the time. Still, it was worth the time spent watching it. It was like the movie was tethered by its own need to have a masterful twist, that it never fully took off.

Set in medieval times when the church held power through the fear of God, the film takes place in a land called Aquila. The story revolves around two lovers who are cursed. The curse is in the form of keeping them apart. The curse makes sure that neither can see the other in their true human form.

Parallel to this, we follow a thief named Philippe Gaston (Broderick), who accidentally falls into a hole and uses the opportunity to escape his dungeon on the day of his scheduled execution.

The bishop, displeased with Gaston’s escape, sends the captain of the guard with a team to hunt him down and kill him. Gaston, however, takes his escape for granted, only to find himself celebrating in a bar, where he accidentally runs into the captain and his men disguised as regular patrons. After being caught, Gaston is rescued by Etienne of Navarre, the former Captain of the Guard of Aquila.

Etienne’s appearance causes a stir, and he helps Gaston flee. He takes him along on a mission to get back to Aquila, where he has unfinished business with the bishop.

Through the journey the movie makes you loose focus of somethings, when Gaston meets a woman, who always happen to be around when Etienne is not. Then Gaston learns more of the curse which were on these lovers, and who these lovers were and how he can be able to help them break the curse, and in the end gain revenge on the Bishop.

I enjoyed the film so much that I plan to watch it again.