Set in a monastery during the 1300's, this is a wonderfully written, engaging crime drama filled with Holmesian logic and forensics, labyrinths, secret libraries, forbidden manuscripts, poison, and the many temptations of flesh as well as being a fantastic murder mystery that captures the poverty, darkness and ignorant shadow of abused spiritual power (through the corrupt Inquisition) prevalent at the time. The always excellent Sean Connery has the lead as Brother William of Baskervilles, scholar, teacher and sleuth, with the youthful Christian Slater doing a fine job as his novice and "Watson", Adso. I remember getting into a discussion with the person I first saw the movie with about Ron Perlman's supporting character, the slow, multi-lingual (usually in one sentence) hunchback monk Salvatore. He was not only able to make the character sympathetic/pathetic even though he was not likeable but also interesting enough to inspire conversation. (Spoiler: when Salvatore, now mentally "gone" after a night of torture, is tied to the stake to be burned, and the fire is lit, he actually casually leans over and tries to blow it out, very child like, it's obviously not really registering to him what's about to happen. I remember turning to my friend and saying "that would be absolutely hysterical if it wasn't so damn pathetic.") Favorite lines(s): "Have you ever known a place where God would've felt at home?" "The step between ecstatic vision and sinful frenzy is all too brief." "How peaceful life would be without love...how safe...how tranquil...and how dull." Availability: VHS and DVD. Suggest: Amazon.com. I have bought from Amazon, new and used, for years and have had no problems. Please remember to make sure the VHS/DVD is compatible with your country/region. Definitely worth buying. The Region 1 DVD has an excellent audio commentary with director Jean-Jacques Annaud and this is what he had to say about working with Ron Perlman: "Now this is my dear friend Ron Perlman on the right. (RP's first scene) He is becoming quite famous now in Hollywood. I had discovered him for my previous movie 'Quest For Fire' and I loved so much working with him that I give him this part. It was quite tough because as you can see his hair cut is not very sexy. He had to wear a hood if he wanted to get some food in the Italian restaurants. I must say I love this actor. He is so generous and so talented. People will say 'Is it difficult to work with Jean-Jacques?' and he said 'Well this time I wear shoes.'" ...(Jean-Jacques Annaud is discussing the unpleasant experience of working with one of the supporting role actors in this film, during the black cat/rooster/"devil worship" scene RP does with the girl), and it leads into this; paraphrased: "because of their attitude") "...they end up not being so much stars any more while you know, someone like Ron Perlman is shooting every day. He is such a gem. He is, you notice the generosity you read in his eyes? Well, he has it when the scene is finished, he has later in the hotel, he keeps it, this is an actor that keeps the whole unit happy. Get him on your set, you'll have a happy set. He is so talented. He is so funny. I adore him I can't help it!" On a side note: This is the second movie I saw Ron Perlman in (first: Ice Pirates) and the performance that made his name one I would watch for. By Tressa Lee Breen
For the Perlman Pages "The Name of the Rose" page click here. |
