I am going to have to join with the minority of those who have commented on this film and say that I just didn't really like it.
Frankly, it didn't seem like the story was developed in a way that lent any real reason for sympathy to the "love" of Tristan and Isolde.
A message hammered home over and over again in the movie is that "love" is above all other things, able to conquer even death.
The words honor and duty are mentioned as well, but given lip service only, it seemed to me.
I came out of the movie solidly on the side of King Mark. His character was 10 times more sympathetic than that of the two lovers. Heck, I wanted to marry him!
Perhaps if there had been a potion, as in the stories, that explained this terrible attraction between the two. Or more believable reasons and/or interactions shown on screen for them falling in love. Then I would have felt the tragedy on both sides.
But as it stands, the lovers came off as selfish. Determined to have their "love" no matter who it hurt or what it threatened. Such risks in storytelling can be taken and they can work - but only if the characters make it work.
On the other hand, Rufus Sewell did an amazing job and was the one thing I truly enjoyed about the movie. Everything else was kind of "blah". Which is ironic really since when I read the original stories of Tristan and Isolde, Mark comes off as anything but a nice character.
My main feelings when it became obvious that Tristan was going to die in battle - serving and saving King Mark - were that of relief. It seemed the only possible way that Tristan could redeem what was left of his honor, his dignity as a human being and as Mark's adopted son.
Not the emotion you would expect to feel towards the "hero" of the film.
All in all, not something I will probably watch again.
Frankly, it didn't seem like the story was developed in a way that lent any real reason for sympathy to the "love" of Tristan and Isolde.
A message hammered home over and over again in the movie is that "love" is above all other things, able to conquer even death.
The words honor and duty are mentioned as well, but given lip service only, it seemed to me.
I came out of the movie solidly on the side of King Mark. His character was 10 times more sympathetic than that of the two lovers. Heck, I wanted to marry him!
Perhaps if there had been a potion, as in the stories, that explained this terrible attraction between the two. Or more believable reasons and/or interactions shown on screen for them falling in love. Then I would have felt the tragedy on both sides.
But as it stands, the lovers came off as selfish. Determined to have their "love" no matter who it hurt or what it threatened. Such risks in storytelling can be taken and they can work - but only if the characters make it work.
On the other hand, Rufus Sewell did an amazing job and was the one thing I truly enjoyed about the movie. Everything else was kind of "blah". Which is ironic really since when I read the original stories of Tristan and Isolde, Mark comes off as anything but a nice character.
My main feelings when it became obvious that Tristan was going to die in battle - serving and saving King Mark - were that of relief. It seemed the only possible way that Tristan could redeem what was left of his honor, his dignity as a human being and as Mark's adopted son.
Not the emotion you would expect to feel towards the "hero" of the film.
All in all, not something I will probably watch again.