by Gaynell Parker

Created on: May 20, 2008

In 1985, several movies came to the big screen that made lasting impressions. Ladyhawke was one of them. This was the first movie I saw Michelle Pheiffer in, and I was amazed by her beauty. She was simply amazing. The theme of the movie fit in well with her cameo beauty, with the simplicity of dress drawing attention to the smooth simplicity of her looks. Matthew Broderick was a perfect comic foil against her and Rutger Hauer. This was not the first movie I'd seen him in, but it was the first larger-than-life. He showed much more maturity and talent in this movie than he did in Wargames.

The drunken monk was well played as well, and he, working with Phillipe, did an excellent job of adding humor to what could have been a very dark and grim telling of the classic old tail of "If I can't have you, no one will." Doesn't matter if the man wanting is a priest and bound to celibacy...Did no one tell him when he signed up?

Anyway, the idea of the curse making one a hawk by day and a wolf by night is fascinating, and anyone who loves fantasy is going to love this one. It loses nothing in the passing of time and transition to DVD.

The development of the plot and characters is smooth and draws one in, making you part of the whole story. You are with Phillipe as he crawls through the sewers to make his escape. You become one with the hawk as it soars above and yet returns to it's master. You find yourself rooting for the group as they head back to Aquila and certain death. It's simply absorbing.

There are several parts worth mentioning. One of my favorites is when the Captain Navarre explains to Phillipe the importance of his family sword, including it's past glory and feats of strength. "It has never known defeat, until now," as Phillipe used it to chop wood. He explains further that the last stone to be put in it's spot will be his when he kills a person who he has been hunting for some time. Phillipe says "Tell me, does this walking corpse have a name?"

One definitely can't blame Phillipe for falling in love with Isabeau she is a vision of loveliness, and could definitely be mistaken for an angel. It cracks me up though, how Phillipe continues to make up things between the two of them; how she speaks of him all the time, how they both have hope in the future, etc.

Another humorous side is how Phillipe keeps talking to God while he's traveling. He's just escaped the prison and is floating along the side of the moat after having taken a purse from a guard. He had just promised that he would never pick another pocket as long as he would live if he was saved from a floating carcass. He reminds the Lord as he is swimming away from the guard he'd just pick-pocketed; "You know and I know what a weak willed person I am." There is also a point when he has met the Captain and the man has just informed him that he is an answer from God. Phillipe tells him "No offense, but I talk to God all the time, and He never mentioned you."

It's clean, it's mysterious and it's fantastic in it's camera work. The turning of the people into animals and back is extremely well done and adds to the tale. It's a classic that everyone in the family will want to watch, over and over again.

And as Phillipe tells Father Imperius at the end of the movie "I'll be there, Father, even if I have to pick the lock," I expect you to rent this wonderful classic and see it if you haven't already.

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