On Guard (1997)

Some things I liked some I did not.

Really Surprised!

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I just finished watching On Guard and the first thought that went through my mind was "why don't they make films like this anymore?"This is swashbuckling tale, yes but its more than that. This film has a refined, beautiful soul, that makes it as much as tale of love between two people, as its is a tale of action and adventure. There a happy thread of down to earth playfulness and definite humour that runs through this film too, further infusing it with warmth and character. Speaking of characterizations, they are right on the money. Daniel Auteuil is perfect as the chivalrous but humble lead, whilst Marie Gillain offers charm and innocence, as the girl he pledges to protect. I really adore this film and wish we could see more like it, in a decade that seems long on cynicism and short on hope and love. Ten out of ten from me.

but look at the end of the count of Monte cristo. Doutbless the intimacy was not that intense.There is an ick factor, but considering he has saved her life countless times, in the grand scheme of things who else would she marry? She'd be dead eight times over if it wasn't for him.My problem was that Alteuil always appeared 50, he really looked wrong aged for the younger scenes. if a younger man than the duke could have been found, i guess those later scenes would not have worked because then that person would have been too old to play the concept of the older character...they say these feelings just dawned on them, a funny play on Aurore's name, sleeping beauty reference, etc.i consider Aurore's parental re-orientation to having a mother the key change, Aurore is then free to adopt a new figure in the parental role, freeing Lagardere to be a new, "other" role. Does his name mean "the guarding" or something? this movie was good clean fun, and the writing had me wishing so many other movies were as fun. When the Duc goes to knight Lagardere, he finds the knight to be has no Christian name. "Indeed, you lack everything". too funny.

The previous comment (about the ending) is valid, from a contemporary standpoint. However, there is such a history, both in literature and in real life in 1700 (and indeed later), of exactly this sort of situation (dancing around a spoiler here) that it didn't bother me... as of course it would have in a more realistic, less fairy-tale-ish movie.I just plain loved it, without the caveat, which is considerably more plausible than, e.g., one brilliant swordsman defeating eight or nine simultaneous attackers <g>.This movie falls somewhere between the Princess Bride and Rob Roy on the realism scale -- two other movies I loved. It has a definite fairy-tale feel to it... but for those like me who love fairy tales, that actually makes it more appealing.Dafydd ab Hugh

"On Guard", a subtitled French film, is all about Auteuil as an 18th century swordsman, mercenary, and bon vivant who finds himself the victim of treachery and the lone custodian of an infant who is the sole heir to a noble rank and great fortune. His task is to honor an oath and restore his charge to her rightful place in the face of countless bad guys with blades and his adopted daughter's growing ardor as she comes of age. Packed with evil men and beautiful women and wonderful locations and lots of swishing and clinking steel, "On Guard" should be a fun watch for anyone into swashbuckling adventure flicks who can contend with 2+ hours of subtitles. (B)