La Princesse De Montpensier(2011)- User Reviews

Sorry, but good production values don't justify an ultimately lame and time-wasting story. For 2 1/2 hrs. you keep expecting some plot turn that makes sense to redeem this film but instead you have relentlessly self-destructive romanticism on all main characters' parts (spoiler alert, although the whole problem is that the ending could have saved the film), ending in a drop-off that isn't even artful.

Yes, a few points are made about war's barbarism, and - oh by the way - costumes and visuals are lovely. But if you can imagine 4 men besotted by the same vapid, adolescent female, with 3 of the 4 unable to get a grip even to the point of threatening political stability, well perhaps you should go back and read about Helen of Troy - it's a better story. If you think Elvira Madigan was a classic, however, maybe this one's for you.