I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Brilliant and touching

Blistering performances.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

In this film we see the story of Tristan (James Franco), an orphan who is protected by Marke (Rufus Sewell), the pretender king in a divided England, dominated by the Irish. To achieve peace, unity and some autonomy before them, Marke marries Isolde (Sophia Myles), the daughter of the Irish king, unaware that she has an affair with Tristan.This is the famous story of Tristan and Isolde, immortalized in song by the famous opera of the same name, composed by Richard Wagner in the nineteenth century. The story, however, takes place in England after the end of the Roman Empire and the arrival of the Saxon people. It is a love prohibited by state duties, the obligations of marriage and hatred of war that almost everyone wants to end. It is a tragedy of two lovers separated by destiny, cruel and ruthless. It is a work of art, a timeless and moving story that this film revisits and brings to the cinema after so many years of delight through the melancholy notes of Wagner.

a classic love story. and wise director. inspired cast. and nice solutions of scriptwriter. an adaptation of an old well-known story. and fresh for the gentle manner to remind virtues and gestures and decisions with the Medieval essence, in Modern images. and that transforms all in more than another experiment. the chemistry between the lead actors, the links between characters, the fight scenes, the meeting and the last scene, the emotion who remains not a story but an entire library because it is a gallery of characters in this admirable adaptation. the force of gesture and the brilliance of look, the suggestion and the beauty of silence are ingredients of film . and that fact does it not remarkable but special. because, in many senses, it is a film for book lovers and not for the cinema-goers.

Tristan (James Franco) was orphaned as a boy. Irish warriors interrupted a dinner in Cornwall, which his parents were attending, and killed many, including the lad's father and mother. Brave Uncle Marke (Rufus Sewell) saved his nephew, losing a hand in the process. Now, Tristan is grown and a fine swordsman himself. Yet, the Irish and the clans of Britain are still at odds. In another skirmish, after a valiant fight, Tristan is wounded by a poisonous sword. Thinking him dead, his grieving uncle and other men put him in a boat and release him to the waves. This is the burial ceremony of the times. But, by a twist of fate, the boat crosses the sea and lands in Ireland. Spying the vessel is beautiful Isolde (Sophia Miles), the daughter of the king. Realizing the man is alive but gravely, sickened, this beautiful princess and her lady in waiting nurse Tristan back to health in a secret cove. Before long, Isolde is deeply in love with her patient, although she gives him a false name for herself, and he is in love with her. But, danger lurks, due to his heritage. Just as the Irish are about to discover the secrets, Isolde releases Tristan in his boat, telling him their love can never be. Both are shattered inside. When Tristan arrives back in Cornwall, his uncle is overjoyed. Before long, the Irish king offers his daughter to the knight who can defeat all others in a tournament. Tristan vows to win a wife for the never married Marke. Sure enough, Tristan wins the contest. But, horror indeed when the lady's veil is lifted and it is his dear love. No matter, Isolde must marry Marke, for all parties are bound by honor. Yet, can Tristan really forget his love for Isolde or can she truly love her husband? In addition, if they give into their past feelings, what will be the consequences in the near future? This timeless tale of a love triangle is a legend that came before King Arthur himself. One could probably say it influenced the later story. As such, it is just as beautiful and tragic. Franco, Sewell, and Miles are a most lovely and talented threesome while the lesser actors are equally well chosen. The sets and costumes, which depict a time long ago, are wonderful to behold while the script and direction fulfill the story's telling well. Yes, there is some violence but it is muted; even so, those who shiver at sword fights and such should be advised accordingly. Nevertheless, this is a stellar two hours of entertainment.

Originally published on Jan. 11, 2006:Tristan + Isolde = Questionable ChemistryThis work, based on the old Celtic Dark Age story, takes place in Briton shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire (about 480 AD), and concerns the two title characters, English warrior Tristan (James Franco, "Spiderman," "The Great Raid") and Irish princess Isolde (Sophia Myles, "Underworld"), who somehow meet, make love and almost bring down two kingdoms. As such, this epic historical tale, directed by Kevin Reynolds ("Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves") comes in above "King Arthur" and "Alexander," but below "Kingdom Of Heaven, and way below "Braveheart." It should have been more interesting and exciting than it turned out.Notably missing, apart from any sort of chemistry between the two leads (yeah, there's some soft core lovemaking, but they don't really mean it), is the Richard Wagner music so often associated with this opera; and while I understand the omission, it still would have been nice as an incidental score.In the absence of such, though, we're left with a lot of violent battles (in the Dark Ages people couldn't just get along it seemed), as the underdog Brits were oppressed by the brutal Irish (now there's a switch on modern sensibilities). Led by King Donnchadh (David Patrick O'Hara, "Braveheart"), the bloody Irish are making all sorts of trouble for the peace-loving English, burning, raping, ravaging, pillaging and attempting to prevent a loose federation of barons from uniting and forming the Great Britain we know of today.Oh, if only they had succeeded ...Opposing this, ala William Wallace, is Tristan, raised by the powerful knight, Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell, "The Legend Of Zorro"), and his country's great champion, but he is killed in a skirmish, put in a funeral boat and set adrift. Of course, since half of the movie is named after him, you know he isn't really dead, just poisoned and paralyzed. He drifts across the Irish Sea and somehow beaches himself right where Isolde is taking a stroll with her cluck-clucking maid.Against her better judgment (and because she's an amateur apothecary), she brings him to her beach house and heals him with herbs and oils. She reads to him and soon a tepid love develops. Of course, they consummate this, but Tristan's boat is discovered by the bad guys and he has to take a powder back to England.Meanwhile, Donnchadh has arranged for a tournament to be held between the British tribes in hopes of dividing them even further. When Tristan overcomes the Irish ruler's handpicked winner, however, the princess becomes betrothed to Marke (unbeknownst to either lead character). Thus, even after his best friend and father-figure is married to Isolde, Tristan and her continue to carry on a torrid affair (that seemingly everyone knows about - except Marke).Donnchadh uses this split to enlist the aid of the other barons to attack Marke's castle, which initiates one final conflict complete with a siege, explosions, a rain of fire and even a beheading (proving that even in a heavy, dark drama there are some light, fun moments).The battle scenes were intriguing enough, and the special effects were okay, but with Tony Scott ("Thelma & Louise," "Gladiator," "Black Hawk Down") as Executive Producer, I expected a little more from this classic story - a coherent and plausible plot would have been nice.