MOVIE SCENE
Latest 'Count of Monte Cristo' has feel of romantic, old-fashioned

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (Rated PG-13 for swordplay and implied sex) Three Stars (Good) An elegant, entertaining retelling of the classic tale of betrayal, revenge and romance, set in post-Napoleonic France. Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce and Richard Harris co-star for director Kevin Reynolds. Touchstone, 124 minutes.

Since 1908, 13 versions of the classic swashbuckler by Alexandre Dumas have graced the screen, nearly equaling the popularity of his "Three Musketeers."

But that doesn't mean there isn't always room for another "Count," especially since the most recent was 1988 — and it was in Russian!

Besides, what's not to like about a rousing saga of injustice, betrayal, revenge and righteousness, played out over several decades, in period locations, by elegantly costumed characters who frequently cross swords?

To his credit, director Kevin Reynolds takes a mostly traditional approach to the material. This is NOT one of those recent period films jazzed up with rock songs.

Certainly, Reynolds allows a few small anachronisms, especially in moments of modern dialogue. (The hero, Edmond Dantes, tells one character, for example, "You don't get out much, do you?")

But more often than not, viewers will feel comfortably in the throes of a romantic, old-fashioned Hollywood epic. You know — the kind they don't make anymore.

"The Count of Monte Cristo" is set in the post-Napoleonic period in France. Dantes (the handsome Jim Caviezel) is unjustly imprisoned for life at a rock fortress on a Mediterranean island.

He's been done dirty by his jealous, long-time friend. Fernand (a conniving Guy Pearce), who then marries Dantes' fiancee (Dagmara Dominczyk).

In prison, Dantes is befriended by a fellow prisoner, an aged priest (Richard Harris), who becomes his mentor in all things. He teaches the young man to read and write, and how to handle social pressures and swords with equal aplomb. He also tells him the location of a treasure trove.

Sixteen long years later, Dantes escapes, finds the treasure, assumes the false identity of "The Count of Monte Cristo," and begins his elaborate, juicy revenge against Fernand and the other folks who betrayed him.

Caviezel (of "The Thin Red Line" and "Angel Eyes") impressively conveys Dante's increasing maturity and growing confidence in prison, and carries himself well in the count's elegant clothing and as a swordsman, after his escape.

Pearce (of "Memento" and "L.A. Confidential") hams entertainingly as the villain of the piece, while Harris brings the film much-appreciated warmth and humor.

Reynolds keeps his sprawling epic moving along crisply, and makes effective use of evocative locales in Ireland and Malta.

All in all, the new "Count of Monte Cristo" is an entertaining enterprise.

Rated PG-13 for swordplay and implied sex.