THE ADVOCATE
A film review by Mark R. Leeper
Copyright 1994 Mark R. Leeper
Capsule review: Covering some of the same
territory as THE NAME OF THE ROSE, this is a mystery
story set in Medieval Western Europe. The attitudes are
a cross between those of the time and of our own, but
there is more than a little enjoyable "culture shock" in
this film. Nicol Williamson very nearly steals the
film, but the whole cast is enjoyable. Rating low +2
(-4 to +4)
The year is 1452 and Paris lawyer Richard Courtois is tired of the legal entanglements and corruption of city law. He wants to use his talents to help common people, so he and his clerk Mathieu travel to the small town of Abbeville. There he indeed finds that law is different, though no better and in some ways a lot weirder. Rural law cases involve accusations of witchcraft, devil pacts, and sodomy with animals. And the law extends to human and animal alike. If a farmer is shown to have had sex with his donkey, both might be hung on the same gibbet. Animals may also be called to court to be sworn as witnesses. One of Courtois's first cases is a very bizarre "murder trial," at least by modern standards. Today such an incident would not fall under the category of murder, but we are looking at a very different culture. Incidentally, the case really did get tried as it is portrayed in the film according to historical records. It seems at first like a ludicrous and trivial court action until Courtois starts sensing that the state's case is invented and may be a part of a larger conspiracy.
THE ADVOCATE is a film with a lot going for it. First and foremost is the setting. Years go by between good films set in so remote a historical period. Even without a good plot the historical detail by itself would keep this film intriguing. The historic detail that gives the film its texture and gives a feel of being very well researched. The viewer is consistently astonished by the differing attitudes and life-style of the 1400s. Unfortunately too often the attitudes we see are a mix of that century's and our own. Similarly to THE NAME OF THE ROSE, the photography often appears inspired by the master artists of the time like Breugel and Bosch. The peasants look grizzled and a bit grotesque.
But beyond the historical detail the plot is also enjoyable by itself. The mystery is not one of the best or most unpredictable, but it is likely to keep the audience guessing. THE ADVOCATE is at once an intriguing mystery film and a well-written drama with comedic overtones. One historical detail that the film makes clear is that in the Middle Ages people were a good deal less sensitive about being seen without clothing. That, however, tends to make me suspect it would get some editing before American public television would show it. But clearly it seems intended for some wide audience because of a major budget and a cast of familiar actors including Colin Firth in the title role, Ian Holm as a likable but corrupt local priest, Donald Pleasance as Abbeville's other attorney, Michael Gough as town judge, and Nicol Williamson thoroughly enjoying his role as a local lord.
THE ADVOCATE was written and directed by Leslie Megahy, a director nearly unknown in the United States but who has made several TV movies for the BBC. This is his first feature film and deserves attention. My rating would be a low +2 on the -4 to +4 scale.
Mark R. Leeper
mark.leeper@att.com
.
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