The Count Of Monte Cristo

You all know how much I like to throw in a random movie that challenges my few readers to go out and experience something new and awesome! Well the movie of the week is The Count of Monte Cristo the 2002 version. The film is based on the classic story by Alexandre Dumas Pere and has had many interpretations over the years. This is my favorite because of the combination of cast, setting, and script. I also love this film because it shows that a story can be a few hundred years old and still hold value in today's world.


The movie stars Jim Caviezel as Edmond Dantes a second mate of a small ship. His fiance is Dagmara Dominczyk as Mercedes and she is lovely and enchanting. Their best friend is Guy Pearce as Fernand Mondego, the son of a count. The film begins with Edmond being accussed of a crime he is not commit. He was sent away to prison by J.F. Villefort, played by James Frain. We learn that he is sent away because has information on Villfort's family and wants no one to know about it. While in prison for 4 years Edmond one day meets a man who pops up out of the floor. He is Abbe Faria or Priest, played by the talented and dearly departed Richard Harris. Priest tells Edmond that he will teach him everything he knows if he will assist him in digging out of prison. Edmond agrees and a friendship is born out of pure chance.

Priest tells Edmond that he knows the location of a massive treasure and he gives Edmond a map. I won't tell you how but Edmond ends up out and able to find this treasure with the help of his new friend Jacopo played by Luis Guzman. Edmond makes it his life's goal to destroy all of those that have made him suffer all of these years. He makes himself The Count of Monte Cristo and slowly starts to ruin the lives of all those that betrayed him.

The movie is beautiful with amazing scenes and settings. Even in the dark and gloomy prison the colors are vivid orange and brown. Once in Paris the colors turn much warmer than the beach and sea colors we are so use to. As the Count, he covers himself with Red and blue as where Edmond wore browns and grays. Even Jacopo dresses in vivid lively colors. Fernand tends to stay with the simple white and black but do not let that fool you, he is anything but simple. Mercedes is so beautiful is does not matter what color she is in. When she is with Edmond she wear simple blues and yellow....simple clothes for a simple happy life. When she is with Fernand she wears deeper red and purples but she is in pain and torn from the life she knew.

The actors in this film are so real and human. They are flawed as much as the rest of us. Richard Harris plays a memorable and deeply torn man. He is ashamed of his past and tries to dedicate his life to God and retribution. Jim as Edmond shows some much growth from the innocent second mate, to the lonely prisoner, to the bitter trouble man filled with revenge. By the end of the film you do not even remember the old Edmond because The Count has changed him so much. Guy Pearce is the man you love to hate. He is charming but sneaky and you are sure if you can believe anything he says. Plus Guy plays the odd man out so well. I really enjoyed Dagmara because she was in so much pain and suffering but still managed to be strong and stand up for what she believed in. She is a modern woman trapped in a traditional world.

If you need a great movie to watch...go get this one! One of my all time favorites!

Action: Yes

Adventure: Some

Romance: Sort of



Over All: A