COuntry: France | Italy | West Germany
Language: English | Latin
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Original Title: Der Name Der Rose
The Name of the Rose is based on a book of the same name by Umberto Eco. I cannot compare the film with the book as I have not read it and I don’t find it necessary to read it. This is a very tightly directed film with almost no errors in the flow of the script. Jean-Jacques Annaud as his other works, has created a flawless film.
The film takes you to the dark world of medieval Christianity that seems more sinister than hell itself. The crimes inside a monastery, the covert battle between the “not-so-good” and the “not-so-evil” give you the same sensations that a horror film like The Exorcist gives you. The monks seem to suffer the diseases triggered by isolation and look monstrous which is not so different from the history. And then, there is a Franciscan monk William of Baskerville played by Sean Connery, one of the few people who really seem to understand religion, accompanied by his assistant Adso of Melk(Christian Slater) who is also the narrator of the story. The film also has an air of Sherlock Holmes’ books and doesn’t fail to deliver a surprise ending. Then there is this little touch of love for a woman that gives the movie a sweet fragrance.
Sean Connery is one of those actors who keep getting better and better with age and their charisma goes on increasing. His performance as William is remarkable and unforgettable.
Christian Slater is a good actor who lacks charisma and cannot play a leading man. But here he fits in perfectly.
All the other actors are also perfect for their respective roles, especially Feodor Chaliapin, Jr. as the Venerable Jorge.
The last line uttered by Adso, now an old man, “I couldn’t even know… her name.” leaves you with a distant fragrance that has faded but still has an exceptional force.
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