The King's Whore (1990)

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

I enjoyed this movie but it did fall short of the great film that it should have been. Main strengths were the stunning visual aspects and Timothy Dalton's mesmerising performance. Surely he has to be the most underrated actors of our time. His portrayal of psychological complexity in his characters in unmatched. Weak points are the jumpy plot, erratic editing (apparently a lot of scenes were cut) and lack of bodice ripping scenes. There is plenty of emotion but the steaminess is mostly implied. Still worth seeing, particularly for Dalton fans or for lovers of historical costume drama.

In all FAIRNESS, more than likely, Mr. Dalton accepted this project because it started out as an interesting character study of a King with an Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder. And how said disorder can lead a person into becoming a stalker, peeping-tom, and lusting after a woman who refuses to have anything to do with him other than "friendship". However, he does become a more nurturing care-giver than Florence Nightingale, and Sister Kenny combined AFTER the object of affection/obsession contracts SMALLPOX!I truly believe that this flick was supposed to be a real bodice ripper. Y'know, sexcapades in Period Costume, but, then, somehow, it took a diversionary track to "make a statement" about devotion and how "we" are used by those we love and how "we" use those who love us.Waffling between "historical mock-u-drama" and bodice ripper, loaded down with a female lead that gives no more emotionally than a 2x4 plank of lumber, it's no wonder that Mr. Dalton started chewing on the scenery! Mr. Dalton's talent is too good to be wasted in this dreck!In summary, if you love Mr. Dalton's work, you'll find SOMETHING redeemable in this film, (I did even though I'll never get the time I spent watching it back!). Otherwise, rent JANE EYRE, or A LION IN WINTER.

Timothy Dalton does it again! As I become a bigger fan of his I am amazed at the depth and emotion he lends to his characters. This movie has some plot weaknesses which I cannot decide if would be corrected by less or more film. Bravo to Timothy Dalton. His range of emotion is fantastic. Even when not speaking he conveys so much as when Jeanne finally comes to him. Dalton also continues to show off his sword prowess with a very complex scene near the end. Worth seeing!

I'm anxious to see Timothy Dalton in anything he does, but this movie was not worth my time. I hung in there until the end more out of optimism that it would improve than enjoyment. Basically the king is a controlling dog and Jeanne is a, well, you know. This movie is going into the "waste of my time" category. If you want to see Timothy Dalton at his finest, rent the BBC production of Jane Eyre--now THAT is a film.