Very disappointed :(

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

The quirkiness that another reviewer objects to is part of this movie's charm. The opening scene, a hanging, where one of the co-participants (a donkey) in an unnatural act is freed upon petition of the townspeople, is simply wonderful and sets the tone for what follows.Not pointed out by any reviewers yet is that the director seems to have reproduced scenes out of European paintings (Flemish, I believe) - the deer in the inn, the man from the inquisition seated in the tavern, the innkeeper's wife and staff gathered to meet the lawyer when he arrives at the in, and more. The lighting, colors, and scene arrangement are faithfully reproduced. This is just one example of the charms of this movie, which is virtually unknown to the public.And one of the most delicious parts is the witch's blessing. Whenever I lend or give away a copy of this, I pointedly give it with my own blessing.

This film gives what feels like a realistic depiction of the medieval europe described in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. This is a world where the priest seems to have slept with all the women in town, the main Inn in town is also a brothel, and an animal could be hung for sodomy.Stepping into this mess is a city lawyer intent on finding some peace and quiet in the country -- think "Northern Exposure" set during the 1450's.There are some funny bits and a lot more sex than I was prepared for. In addition to the fact that animals could be tried in court, other bits of history are thrown in. The plight of the Jews, influence of landowners, corruption of the church and spread of the plague are all thrown in making the film something of a greatest hits of 1450, and that is ultimately the problem. While the film is busily touching on so many issues, it fails to deeply address any single one to the level I would have liked.Another problem with the film is that everyone seemed to be wearing costumes that had just arrived fresh from the drycleaners. I mean its the middle ages! People back had only 1 or 2 outfits in their wardrobe. They were dirty, but this film doesn't give any of that, and that reduces some of the realism. It just never felt like anything other than a bunch of actors playing dress up.So, while I learned something from the film, the lack of real dramatic tension, and a feeling that everyone was a little too clean cut meant that the film never engrossed me enough for me to fall in love with it.The concept is great though, and I was left feeling that if this movie got the same treatment as the current HBO series 'Deadwood', it would make a great TV series.

*Warning! Contains some spoilers!*An intelligent story brought to live with a brilliant cast!"Firth" of all of course Colin Firth who is as endearing and convincing as always. He just radiates so much honesty into this character and to us being witty, sexy, passionate, sly and clever at the same time.I regard him as the best English actor of this time!He plays a lawyer looking for peace,justice and a quiet life in the country in order to escape political corruption. And every lawyer in real life will tell you that those are unreachable goals and the quest is just grotesque. But Richard Courtois starts with the best intentions in mind and acts accordingly, even almost completely disregarding his own safety. Partly because he naively believes the law to bring justice and not the money or the political power. A lawyer with ideals, a heart and conscience, a rarity.Ian Holm is beautiful cast as priest Albertus who goes after women nevertheless,twisting everything the way it fits him best while always having a sharp look and the wits to escape the Inquisition and the mighty landlord. The conversations between him and the greenhorn lawyer are refreshing, funny and also frustrating when Albertus denies what he really knows to be right in order to preserve his good life. He betrays his friend Courtois by doing that looking him straight in the eye.The crime, the perpetrator and the mystery are well developed and the truth isn't reveal until the very end. I enjoyed myself tremendously (being a lawyer myself and realizing that the madness brought before court is still the same though the laws have changed... well, a bit... *lol*)

I am surprised this film is not more popular. Only sorry i did not see it on the big screen, but found the plot interesting, and the acting superior, especially C.Firth and Ian holm. Some of the lines are very amusing, especially from Courtois' clerk. I have watched this many times, and never find it boring, See it for a good watch.