MovieChat Forums > The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) Discussion > I LOVE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH!!

I LOVE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH!!

posted 8 years ago by katlinkelly
30 replies | jump to latest

I only discovered this movie about 3 weeks ago and I have watched it several times since. I love everything about it, from beginning to end. Every cast member was perfect for the role they played. I don't care that it's not true to the book. If I wanted that, I'd simply read the book or take a literature class. I watch movies to be entertained and that is what this movie did for me; entertained. I thought Jim Caviezel's portrayal of Edmond was great. He was basically 3 different people. Young Edmond Dantes - so naively trusting and open to prisoner Edmond Dantes - at first scared, then hopeless, to using the experience to grow as the priest educated him to finally plotting and vengeful Count of Monte Cristo. It's a great family movie or date movie. I am glad it had a happy ending. The world is terrible enough as it is. Sometimes a little harmless escape is necessary.

[–] wendycscott9 8 years ago

I know how you feel. I was blown away by it when I saw it in the theater in 2002. At that time, the country was in the mood for a good revenge movie, and this worked for me. For a low-budget film, I thought it looked amazing. My only complaint was that Edmond didn't age very well. After 13 years in that horrid prison, he should have looked more wrinkled and stuff. But they didn't film it in order of the plot in order to save money, So that last scene was probably shot near the beginning, and trying to coordinate makeup would have been difficult if not impossible. But considering how gorgeous Jim Caviezel is, I wasn't too disappointed. LOL

BTW, one of the most brilliant pieces of casting was Henry Cavill as Albert. I thought he was fantastic at the time but didn't pay much attention to his name. I figured he'd have a great career after that part. But I lost track of him, and when he got the role of Superman, I didn't put two and two together at first. But I wasn't surprised he'd gone on to play some pretty great roles. He was only 17 when he played Albert, and not only was he adorable, he was a very good actor. I also figured out as soon as I saw him that he had to be Edmond's son, and I thought how fortunate they were to have found someone who looked so much like Mercedes and Edmond and nothing at all like Mondego. LOL Did you figure it out immediately, too?

—
"How was the war, sir?"
"As any war, ma'am, a waste of good men." (Poldark)

[–] katlinkelly 8 years ago

I remember thinking "wow what a gorgeous kid" then saying to myself he looks more like Edmond than sleazy Fernand. Duh..lol.. But you are right..casting him was perfection. Both JC and DD are so beautiful it's easy to see they would have made a beautiful child too. I thought the aging of Edmond was pretty good. He looked so young and innocent before he was betrayed and sent off to Chateau d'If. I thought he looked sufficiently grimey and weathered while imprisoned but sometimes a little too clean, but then I thought, perhaps he used some water from the rain that fell in the priest's cell. When he went to see Monsieur Morrell, I thought it was believable that he had changed so much the old man wouldn't recognize him. It was a little evident that the shooting was done out of sequence in certain scenes but especially the fight between Edmond and Fernand when he revealed himself, clean shaven. He looked much younger than Edmond as the Count even from the "night before" when he was with Mercededs. Overall, I think the movie was very well done despite the low budget and I will count this movie as one of my most favorites forever.

[–] wendycscott9 8 years ago

It's one of my favorites, too. If you have the DVD, the commentary is very illuminating. I hope you get a chance to watch it with that.

—
"How was the war, sir?"
"As any war, ma'am, a waste of good men." (Poldark)

[–] katlinkelly 8 years ago

I do own the DVD then I loaned it out to my sister. Regretfully. When I get it back I will watch the commentary and the deleted scenes.

[–] wendycscott9 8 years ago

It has quite a few extras on it, some of which I sort of wish I hadn't watched. There's one that shows the scene where the warden drowned, and they made it so you could watch it without the music. Very interesting to see how much the music adds to the movie, but it also took a little of the magic of the scene away. The music in this movie was gorgeous. I'm a musician myself so I always pay attention to the scores. Some of them are really outstanding, and this one was one of those. Enjoy!

—
"How was the war, sir?"
"As any war, ma'am, a waste of good men." (Poldark)

[–] CinnamonApplePie 8 years ago

I also so this in theater.

[–] katlinkelly 8 years ago

I wish I had known about it back when it was released in theaters. I can now only imagine the effects of the music and cinematography with the surround sound and the big screen. It would have been amazing.

[–] wendycscott9 8 years ago

It was. As I walked out of the theater, I knew I had to own it. 📀

—
"How was the war, sir?"
"As any war, ma'am, a waste of good men." (Poldark)

[–] fostersforums 8 years ago

I had the same exact though when I saw Albert - "That is Edmond's kid, hands down."

I agree - great casting choice. A kid who actually looks like the parents.

All around great movie. I've seen it 4-5 times.

=====================

It's an opinion, not a statement of fact nor a declaration of war on your existence. Relax.

[–] wendycscott9 8 years ago

I can't remember the details, but there was some question as to whether or not Henry Cavill could do it, and they really wanted him. He was just the best choice ever.

—
"How was the war, sir?"
"As any war—a waste of good men." (Poldark)

[–] vicky_lc2001 (1907) 8 years ago

I don't know if Cavill's casting is particularly brilliant nor did I think he was particularly good here, he was ok. He did however look like both actors cast as his parents so that was good.

[–] jorgito2001 8 years ago

i remember LOVING this movie when it first came out on DVD way back.

Its on Encore or Showtime (can't remember which) this month and it was a slow day at work so rewatched it when it aired with expectations low (my opinion has changed on SOME movies..and it HAS been 14 years!)...NOPE! LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT ALL OVER AGAIN!

This isn't a much talked about film, but I LOVE it, the cast was perfect. You HATE backstabbing Guy Pierce (perfect), root for noble Jim Caviezel. even the supporting cast is perfect. A young "Superman" Henry Cavill was a nice surprise...kept looking at him and I'm like "where do I KNOW that guy!?!

Definitely a ME classic!

----
Im gonna punch you in the cooter, I swear to God!

[–] katlinkelly 8 years ago

Even though I own the DVD I am sad I don't have the channel it is playing on. Finding a fav movie on TV is like a special treat. 

[–] wendycscott9 8 years ago

I know what you mean about Henry Cavill. I thought he had a huge future at the time I saw this movie because I had rarely seen anyone so gorgeous, and he was a terrific actor as well for someone so young. Plus, he was perfectly cast—I realized he had to be Edmond's son as soon as I saw him. LOL Then I lost track of him and was quite shocked to find out he was Superman, but then I wasn't all that surprised considering everything. The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorite movies, too. I guess I'm a sucker for period films, but they have to be done right, and this was. It had everything I could want, and when it came out in 2002, it just suited the mood of the times as it was the perfect revenge movie. Glad it's on TV lately so people can see it again.

—
"How was the war, sir?"
"As any war, ma'am, a waste of good men." (Poldark)

[–] extremst 8 years ago

I have watched it since it came to cable from the movies. Every time I stumble into it when browsing channels I watch it from wherever it is at. I just watched it again today, the whole movie. I love the story and the actors.

[–] Nomad310 8 years ago

I LOVE this adaptation! I'm watching it now and plan to watch it again on my bigger, better tv. Wonderful actors! 💕

[–] vicky_lc2001 (1907) 8 years ago

I love this as well. And the ending here surprised me on one aspect particularly because I both read the book and saw a more faithful adaptation before I saw this. So it was a nice surprise! I prefer this one by far btw and watch it frequently!

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8801) 8 years ago

It's been a long time since I last watched this one, but it's very good.

I do remember, when I saw it in the theater, that I felt like it moved too fast. In the book Edmond is in prison for a very long time, but in the movie that time is greatly compacted. On subsequent viewings though, I guess since I was expecting it, it did not bother me. Of course adjustments have to be made for a two hour film.

Jim Caviezel was excellent, as was Guy Pearce, who did a good job of making you hate him.

I should re-watch this one soon. It is the ultimate revenge tale.

[–] melomane (32) 6 years ago

I totally feel the same. It's been years since I've watched it but I still remember my favorite scenes. I need a re-watch soon.

[–] LTUM (1051) 6 years ago

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[–] Wuchak (8832) 6 years ago

I've always liked the movie; it's underrated.

i am trying to gain a 'feel' for this site here but i'm having to ease myself into it and so far it's not going too well. just ain't the same as the old days, though i want it to suffice.

It's just as good and maybe better since there seems to be less trolls.

[–] LTUM (1051) 6 years ago

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[–] slimone (7996) 5 years ago

I watched it last night on DVD and I loved it.

****Spoilers"""*

I was glad at the end when Dantes Kills Montego, and says "Let's go home".

[–] trevorh321 (5495) 4 years ago

I wanted to like it but I noticed there weren't enough people of color in it. So I had to give it a thumbs down.

[–] Wuchak (8832) 4 years ago

The Three Musketeers should be black and the Black Panther should be Latino.

[–] juli18807 (71) 4 years ago

I was a senior in High School when I saw this in theater. I saw it 3 times in theater!

I love a good revenge flick. Jim Caviezel and Guy Pierce were my 90’s crushes!!

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8801) 4 years ago

It's a really good movie. I rewatched it about six months ago and it held up quite well.

Caviezel was excellent as the Count and Pierce was very hateable as Mondego. The cinematography and production design were on point as well.

The director, Kevin Reynolds, has had a weird career. He's made some significant films--he also directed Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Waterworld--but for whatever reason he's only directed a handful of movies throughout his career, and since the turn of the millennium he tends to take several years off between projects. If you have any interest at all in religious films about Jesus, you should check out his latest movie, Risen. It's quite good.

[–] davodikum (6202) 4 years ago

I always thought Kevin Costner directed Waterworld.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8801) 4 years ago

Reynolds was the director but he did actually quit in post-production because apparently neither Costner nor the studio were happy with his cut of the film. My understanding is that Costner kind of shepherded the project to completion from there, though Reynolds received full credit as director.

Apparently there was a lot of tension between them, both during the filming of Robin Hood and also during Waterworld. The impression that I've gotten was that they were good friends but they didn't always work well together.

Here's an amusing quote from Reynolds:

"In the future Costner should only appear in pictures he directs himself. That way he can always be working with his favorite actor and his favorite director."