On Guard (1997)

Simply Perfect

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I just finished watching On Guard and the first thought that went through my mind was "why don't they make films like this anymore?"This is swashbuckling tale, yes but its more than that. This film has a refined, beautiful soul, that makes it as much as tale of love between two people, as its is a tale of action and adventure. There a happy thread of down to earth playfulness and definite humour that runs through this film too, further infusing it with warmth and character. Speaking of characterizations, they are right on the money. Daniel Auteuil is perfect as the chivalrous but humble lead, whilst Marie Gillain offers charm and innocence, as the girl he pledges to protect. I really adore this film and wish we could see more like it, in a decade that seems long on cynicism and short on hope and love. Ten out of ten from me.

Le Bossu was a purchase I stumbled upon while looking at other films on Amazon. Reading the reviews there convinced me to give it a shot and, given my slight predilection to period pieces and a good sword fight, I was willing to take a chance. It is, without doubt, one of the best "impulse buys" I have ever made.The film, as others have mentioned is sharp, witty and paced to perfection. Without going too much into the plot (others have already done so) I wanted to add my 2 cents worth on what I consider some of the film's highlights.La Botte de Nevers (The Nevers Attack). Although, as pointed out in another comment, a fair fencer would likely have no problem countering this move, I would raise two points of note. First, the attack used in this film version is significantly more believable and cinematically enjoyable than other versions of the "Lagardere" story, or many other modern films with sword-play. Secondly, in the film it is pointed out that "confusing the opponent/deception" plays a crucial role in the success of the move. This suggests that it is the move's lack of conventionality that may be the source of its success against fencers all too accustomed to the, albeit skillful, established fencing patterns.The Louisiana stock-market manipulation. Having a background in business, I greatly enjoyed the style, verve and panache with which this subject was handled. It could so easily have become overly intricate, dull or a side-note to the story. Not so here, playing a central role to the latter stages of the film that maintains the overall pace and joyful exuberance of the rest of the film. It was a great pleasure to see the subject matter directed with such flair and sense of fun.The humour throughout. This film offers up a feast of wit, riposte and tongue-in-cheek, while maintaining it's focus as a swashbuckling adventure. This can be a tricky balancing act, but De Broca manages it with great skill.Daniel Auteuil. He is wonderful throughout, bringing a warmth, charm and, when necessary, seriousness to the role.I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes period films, swashbucklers or just a genuinely good time.

Alexandre Dumas made a reputation for himself writing stories chiefly about the uncommon man who had to rise to the occasion in extraordinary circumstances. Arguably, THE THREE MUSKETEERS and THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO stand as some of the best literature of the ages, and the film adaptations have created some of the most incredibly swordplay put to the silver screen.The little heard of and rarely seen ON GUARD ("Le Bossu," 1997, from the French novel by Paul Feval of the same name), by far, features some of the most exciting swordplay with a story that compares to Dumas' best work in many ways.Daniel Auteuil stars as Lagardere, a budding swordsman who can't back down from a fight. One evening, upon trying to best the Duke of Nevers, he inadvertently falls into the duke's good graces and joins him -- as a sidekick -- on a journey to rescue the man's infant daughter, Aurore. However, as the duke is soon murdered by his villainous cousin Count Gonzague (played with ample creepiness by Fabrice Luchini), Lagardere escapes with the infant and, along with the help of a traveling circus, raises her as his own child for sixteen years ... until Aurore takes up the sword and performs a move only her real father could've known, alerting the now-in-power Gonzague to the fact the the daughter has survived. Now, Legardere is faced with the ultimate challenge of devising a masterful plot to put the woman back on the throne and into her position of prominence!Much of the film is pure plotting and humor, some of which can only be the product of the French ("Ever try sodomy, my friend?"), and I'm quite certain several of the jokes might be lost on an American audience. Still, Auteuil as Lagardere is the film's masterful stroke; he proves himself capable of a Musketeer-like defender, a loving father, and a pining lost soulmate to the lovely Aurore, all the while maintaining his sense of duty coupled with a great sense of humor.The film is presented widescreen, filmed on beautiful locations, and the sound is very crisp and vibrant. ON GUARD is a wonderful adaptation that deserves to be discovered by a much larger audience.

Le Bossu is a consistently entertaining French film, with an emphasis on swordplay, honor and romance. It seems very much to be a throwback to earlier action/romance films, particularly in that there is a certain seemingly deliberate superficiality to the characters. These characters are simply, forcefully drawn, and they behave accordingly. This is no brooding study, but, rather, an actioner with traditional ideas of honor, loyalty, tragic romance, undying love, etc., given rapid treatment. There's enough material touched on here for many stories but the movie moves along breathlessly, not delving too deep into the tragedies and romances. The beautiful score by Andre Techine complements the action and heightens the romantic aura. This is solid entertainment -- just don't expect introspection and moodiness. English title "On Guard" is silly and patronizing to us English-speaking viewers.