(On Luc Besson's Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc, The (1999)) "When
a film is founded on a lie, and a perverse one at that, nothing that
follows can be trusted. In the case of "The Messenger," a true story of
love and sacrifice, of dedication and faith, is cinematically morphed
to a false one of hatred, bitterness, fury and revenge. Calling
attention to one's own outrageousness as a filmmaker has always
provided a fashionable haven for those who cannot or will not do the
hard and patient work that leads to real insight, true understanding,
gripping storytelling and work of lasting value."