Leading Ladies: January 2006

Tristan & Isolde

Stars: James Franco, Sophia Myles
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Rating: PG-13

If you're expecting anything fresh in this retelling of the medieval star-crossed affair between a princess and a warrior, the female critics suggest you look elsewhere. They do, however, find a few things to, well, not love but tolerate and almost be entertained by in Tristan & Isolde.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Carrie Rickey says, "Reynolds' film tops two hours, [but] he keeps the action brisk. Likewise, he takes care to choreograph the battle sequences so you can tell who's fighting whom (which is fast becoming a lost art), while [the] screenwriter gives the audience context and chronology. "

USA Today's Claudia Puig says, "James Franco is a gorgeous, smoldering lover," and the New York Times's Manohla Dargis notes, "There is something undeniably pleasant about an entertainment like Tristan & Isolde, [which] delivers exactly what it promises, no less, no more."

And the Washington Post's Ann Hornaday says, "If I had to sum up [the film] for a term paper, I'd say it's like Braveheart without the face paint, Shrek, except the Lord Farquaad character is a sweetheart, and Freaks and Geeks because James Franco is so hot, even in Orlando Bloom-y ringlets."

Female consensus: The epic love story isn't an epic, and you're unlikely to love it, but it'll probably be a great date-night rental on DVD

next : Hoodwinked