Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Broderick, Leo McKern, John Wood, Alfred Molina
Running Time: 121 minutes
Synopsis: In a medieval setting, pickpocket Phillipe "The Mouse" Gaston (Matthew Broderick) escapes the dungeon of the evil Bishop of Aquila (John Wood). With guards in hot pursuit, Phillipe is saved by mysterious swordsman Etienne of Navarre (Rutger Hauer), who is often accompanied by a hawk. Phillipe learns that the Bishop's vindictive curse turns Etienne into a wolf from dusk to dawn, just as his lover Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer) turns from hawk to woman, so they can never meet. Phillipe and the old monk Imperious (Leo McKern) join forces to help the lovers break the curse.
What Works Well: The unique vision of a doomed romance carries a serious but lively tone, and unfolds under brooding skies. Director Richard Donner and cinematographer Vittorio Storaro wrap an evil regime within beautiful countryside vistas and dominant citadels to create a grounded aesthetic pierced by rays of legend and magic. Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer are suitably morose, while the action scenes are rationally edited and arrive at regular intervals courtesy of the Bishop's dogged guards and mercenary pursuit agents. Alfred Molina makes an appearance as a weathered wolf hunter.
What Does Not Work As Well: The inability of the romantic couple to interact as humans is a natural barrier to passion, leaving the less inspiring Matthew Broderick as the go-between. His conversations with God are fun and his strained relationship with the truth adds personality zing, but Phillipe Gaston is clearly a tertiary character thrust into a lead role. The synthesizer-dominated music soundtrack by Andrew Powell and Alan Parsons is an unfortunate anachronistic flop.
Key Quote:
Phillipe: Are you flesh, or are you spirit?
Isabeau: I am sorrow.
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