The Advocate (1994)

Hidden gem

Set in medieval times, The Advocate opens with the journey of idealistic new lawyer Richard Courtois from Paris to the southern French village of Abbeville, where he hopes to make a difference in the lives of the downtrodden peasants. In no time at all, he's overwhelmed by a backlog of cases the likes of which he has never encountered. When he finds that the majority involve animals accused of such crimes as bestiality and murder, Courtois simply cannot accept the absurdity of such a practice. But his attempts to reform the local system of justice are vigorously impeded by the corruption of the gentry.

This movie has much to recommend it, from the excellence of its cast, to the scrupulously rendered settings and costumes, to the factual underpinnings of its plot. Based loosely upon the life of medieval advocate Bartholomew Chassene, it achieves a pleasant balance between subtle comedy and drama, a commentary on the readiness of the powerful to capitalize upon the fears and superstitions of their day.

(Warning to those who find nudity offensive - there is quite a bit, both male and female, although the love scenes are not excessively graphic.) December 21, 2008

Pretentious and cliched

In the dark ages in France a young lawyer travels to a small village to be the Advocate, sort of like a public defender. It's a time when people believe in witchcraft and demon possession in people and animals. Thus, we see a donkey accused of being a party to beastiality, and a pig accused of murder, along with a host of witches, lunatics, and robbers. The Advocate (played by Colin Firth) is a sort of medieval Perry Mason, coming up with clever defenses.

The village is supposed to be brimming with hidden secrets, but none of the secrets are very earth shattering. They include a secret society that doesn't have any interesting secrets, a priest who chases women, a corrupt rich landowner, etc. Nothing very interesting.

The scenery and sets are well done. The casting director and the costume designer did a grand job of making the actors and extras look authentic. So, it's a visually attractive movie.

There is quite a bit of nudity, which will doubtless thrill the Firth fans, but it's not sensual. The sex scenes aren't steamy.

This was an okay movie to watch once, but I'm sorry I bought the DVD. I donated it to the library, so some good came of it. December 1, 2008

no laughing please

The gritty story of a pig's search for justice, OK, maybe I'm being a little harsh. It is gritty, as in everybody needs a bath, and there is a pig. I found myself laughing, I'm sure the filmmaker did not intend to make a comedy. I admit I'd probably be glad to watch Colin Firth twiddle his thumbs but this movie is a stretch. I love Ian Holm and he was a pleasure here. After I decided the movie was a spoof I enjoyed it more. (I don't think it was a spoof) Maybe the Middle Ages were just too absurd and depressing for a 21st Century girl. Oh well, you might like the movie go out and rent it. (Ah, is the 21st Century absurd and depressing?) May 13, 2008

unusual

I am a huge fan of Colin Firth...that is why I bought this DVD. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the plot of this movie. I did find it humorous and very unusual, but, his acting was,of course, fabulous. I would recommend this film to anyone who is simply smitten with Colin. March 7, 2008

Great movie - very funny

I got a shock when this arrived because the cover seemed to indicate that it was some sort of deviant sex tape, not at all what I was expecting from the UK reviews I'd read. Thankfully the reviews were right and the movie was excellent - presumably the cover had been 'sexed-up' for the American market. A fantastic little movie, very funny, well acted, beautifully satirical and thoroughly recommended. Colin Firth is a delight, as always. August 23, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...