La Belle et la Bête (Beauty & The Beast) (2014)

There is a special fascination that I have always had for French cinema although I cannot understand a word of what the cast says (Thank God for subtitles).  There is a regal feeling in the language itself and the expressions speak a million more words in itself.  I had no idea (thanks to my laziness) that Beauty and The Beast was actually a French re-telling of the timeless fairy tale.

But my excitement was short-lived because I wasn’t hearing French and reading subtitles.  Instead I was subject to a dubbed version which took away almost all the charm of watching the movie.  Something that I did share with the powers that be albeit a bit too late.  All those who will be watching La Belle et la Bête will have to do so as Beauty and The Beast. Sad but true.

Having said that, this is the original adaptation of 1756 story written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont.  There are very few changes from the original story that you can read at this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast (for those who are unaware or haven’t seen the animated version).

This version stars Vincent Cassel in the lead – as La Bête / Le Prince – and I must say that it wasn’t his finest performance to date.  Cassel’s trademark charm is missing even in the parts that he hasn’t donned the beast’s elaborate costume.  Full marks to the costume designer and make-up artist who keep the Beast very real and in fact scary in parts such as the one when the Beast makes his entry.  Sent a slight shiver up my spine.

Playing La Belle is the critically acclaimed Léa Seydoux whose repertoire ranges from the likes of Blue is the Warmest Colour to commercial cinema such as Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol.  Here again, the costumes and make up will blow your mind but the performance seems to be as constrained as the corset that Léa is wearing.

The rest of the cast seem to be dramatically over the top especially Belle’s sisters and the villain Perducas (Eduardo Noriega).  It seems to resemble a stage performance more than a motion picture.  I am not sure if that was director Christophe Gans’ intent.  In hindsight it may seem more like a lame excuse.

La Belle et la Bête (Beauty & The Beast) is still worth watching for the effort that has been put into the cosmetics.  The story is one that your kids should definitely know and thankfully there is nothing that kids will not understand or should be kept away from.  It may be a good bet if you have seen everything else that is on offer.  5 on 10 overall.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2080616217/?ref_=tt_ov_vi