| The Triumph of Love | | Cast : | Mira Sorvino, Ben Kingsley | | Director : | Clare Peploe | | Studio : | Paramount Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | May 10, 2002 | | DVD Released Date : | October 29, 2002 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language), English (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | January 09, 2005 | | Summary | Charming Actors in French Farce But No 'Shakespeare in Love" | Content
 | It's charming Mira Sorvino, doing the central role of this French farce that was written by Marivaux first played in Paris back in 1732 (so they say). The filmmakers somehow made it in English, with ever-reliable Ben Kingsley and Fiona Shaw. Lucky that they secured these three talents. Sorry that it's not Shakespeare, and equally sorry that the film is not as charming as it should be, like delightful Mira Sorvino herself.
The premise is contrived; you see Ms. Sorvino as the heroine Princess Leonide, who falls in love with Prince Agis (Jay Rodan). Unluckily, the prince is the righteous heir to the throne which the princess has now, for her parents usurped his parents. So, the Princess has to disguise herself as a man, talks her way into the house where the Prince is protected for fear of another assassination. Can you follow me?
If you don't, just forget this part. In short, the film is about the mistaken identities and genders, caused by the protagonist Leonide, or Mira Sorvino, who dresses herself as a man, or woman if the occasion requires, and uses her/his charms to the full. In consequences, all the members of the house -- including the stern protector/philosopher Ben Kingsley and amateur scientist Fiona Shaw -- where Ms. Sorvino sneaks in, find themselves hopelessly and helplessly in love with him ... or her.
One thing must be said. Mira Sorvino is so drop-dead gorgeous (as you know) that no matter how she tries, she cannot look like a male for a moment. Of course, this is a stage contrivance, I know it, and some characters see through it, yes. I know this film is not 'Orlando' where Tilda Swinton was so convincing as both sexes. But the director should have done something, at least.
Another flaw is its bad cameraworks. The camera of Clair Peploe (the wife of Bernado Bertolucci, incidentally), as if to impress us, often floats like a fidgety child. Where the scene should be more romantic to concentrate on the leading actors, the director uses both long shots and close shots (even jump cuts), all disturbing our attention.
The actors are charming to see, and though Mira Sorvino is very funny with her cute, pout mouth, it's Fiona Shaw and Ben Kingsley who are really recommended.
This is no Shakespeare, or 'Shakespeare in Love' for that matter. Still, the actors are good, and well-worth looking for if you like costume dramas. |
| Rating | | | Date | November 05, 2004 | | Summary | Excellent Fun Time | Content
| I thought Triumph of Love was simply one of the best DVDs I've seen in awhile. The style of the film is unique, and it has many fun twists and playful turns. The cast is outstanding. Very funny, romantic, classic. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 29, 2004 | | Summary | Pointless and Stupid...a Waste of Time--1 Star is too many | Content
| I had to watch it twice to get through it. At first, I thought, "how sick is that! She's "leading on" all three people, tricking that poor woman into thinking she's a man!" I thought it was cruel, and stupid, and sick. The second time, I managed to gut it out all the way through, and thought, "wow, that really WAS cruel, stupid and sick." I realize it was a fictional story (which is probably a good thing for the Princess because we all know that would never work in the real world, 18th century OR 21st century), but I found it to be a complete waste of time. The Princess' remorse doesn't even save her in my eyes, she just shouldn't have done it. The only saving grace for this movie is that it can keep you hanging on, waiting to see the whole situation blow up in the Princess' face. I can say, I think the period costumes seemed very well done, and the actors did a good job with what they had to work with...an otherwise pretty lousy story. Call me old fashion, I still like movies and stories where people do the right thing for the right reason. |
| Rating | | | Date | January 24, 2004 | | Summary | Shakespearian in spirit | Content
| Doubtless the title of this movie will ring a bell with those who remember the short-lived Broadway musical of the same name, which featured Susan Egan, F. Murray Abraham and Betty Buckley. Based on an early eighteenth century play by French playwright Marivaux, this work can quite easily be compared to Shakespeare in its plot. A young and beautiful princess (sometimes called Leonide, but not here) has fallen in love with the rightful heir to the throne--and her sworn mortal enemy--Agis. Agis has been kept secluded from the outside world by his aunt and uncle, both of whom are serious, strict philosophers who have no time or patience for anything that does not have to do with logic and thought. This, of course, includes love. In order to get close to her beloved, the princess must first get through to both of these characters. She does so by first posing as a young man called Phocion; she succeeds in seducing Agis's aunt, Leontine, but cannot fool her brother, Hermocrates. The Princess then passes herself off as a young woman named Aspasie and works her way into his heart, while still diligently pursuing Agis. As with all plays like this, things are bound to come out, and they do. The casting in this film was all first-rate, particularly that of Mira Sorvino as the scheming Princess. The costumes, scenery, and music add a whimsical touch to an already whimsical story. One must applaud the creativity of the director/screenwriters, in choosing to make it appear as though this is not a movie, but a play performance captured on film. Highly recommended. |
| Rating | | | Date | October 12, 2003 | | Summary | An undiscovered delight... | Content
| I, frankly, had never heard of this movie, despite the stellar cast and director. My wife brought it home from Blockbuster, and I sat down with low expectations -- here would be yet another stiff period piece, a la Howard's End, I thought. Boy, was I wrong. This risque farce is barrels of sweet fun. I laughed harder than I have in a long time, and just fell for the sweet, sultry performance of Mira Sorvino. She lights up the screen. Bravo! |
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