Really enjoyed this film. I'm always eager to see a new fantasy/childrens themed movie. But I must admit that I am critical and occasionally disappointed by todays offerings. But this film did not let me down. Visually I enjoyed the movie immensely and felt that the sets, wardrobe and effects were amazing at times (especially wardrobe). The acting and casting was above board and complimented the film/story well (with the exception of Tim Curry's small role ironically). The story was traditional fairytale fantasy and adapted from the book more than satisfactorally. All in all this was one of the better childrens fantasy movies I've seen out of the crop of offerings in last 5-10 years. Worth seeing...maybe more than once even. Enjoy.
When her father dies, Maria Merrywether (Dakota Blue Richards) discovers that his debts have left her penniless -all she inherits is a storybook about the Moon Princess and her magical pearls.
She and her governess are sent to live with Sir Benjamin Merryweather (Ioan Gruffudd), her grumpy uncle who lives in a vast decaying mansion. But soon Maria begins to realize that something strange is afoot -it turns out the story of the Moon Pearls is true, and a strange young woman named Loveday (Natascha McElhone) warns her of what will happen in just a few days.
And along the way, she discovers that the Merryweathers and the bandit clan called the De Noirs have been at war over the pearls for centuries. However, the only way that Maria can find the pearls is by enlisting the help of Robin De Noir (Augustus Prew) -and if she doesn't succeed, the entire valley of Moonacre will be destroyed.
"The Secret of Moonacre" is loosely based on Elizabeth Goudge's classic fantasy novel "The Little White Horse," although they take some hefty liberties in the name of drama. However, it's still a lovely little movie with a distinctly British flavor, as well as a mixture of wide-eyed optimism and the usual stuff about pride, getting along, love overcoming all, and so on.
The script is a mixed bag -the dialogue has moments of banality ("It is not the pearls but the greed in our hearts which brings us this misery"), but also some enchanting humour ("How can I possibly go to live in the country? It's full of... the countryside!"). And a small warning: the De Noirs look like refugees from "A Clockwork Orange."
But the movie is worth getting if nothing else for the sets and scenery. Director Gabor Csupo paints the entire movie with lush magical forests, a bandit citadel with a dungeon, a bedroom with murals and a sea-bed, dusty old libraries and an overgrown kitchen where an elfin cook bounces around like a Lewis Carroll character. Nearly every scene looks like a pre-Raphaelite painting, and Csupo milks it of every ounce of fairy-tale beauty and magic.
And though this is only her second movie, Dakota Blue Richards easily takes center stage and gives a gutsy flair to her ladylike character. Gruffudd and McElhone are quite good as the grumpy aristocrat and the pretty hermit, and Tim Curry is sneeringly nasty as Coeur De Noir (although he seems totally lost in the last scene).
"The Secret of Moonacre" has some flaws, but it's still a charming little fairytale that enchants the senses and makes you feel warm'n'fuzzy. A lovely little treat.
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The Secret of Moonacre played at our local theater last evening and I caught it with my daughter (age 10) who had seen the trailer for it recently and had been talking about it ever since. What a beautiful film, both physically (what you see) as well as story-wise (what you get).A filmed fairy tale based on the acclaimed novel "The Little White Horse", the story of a young girl recently orphaned is filled with joy, fright, heartbreak, laughter, love, hate and hope. Sent to live with her eccentric uncle at his very mysterious home of Moonacre Manor, a young Maria finds herself in a world of magic and myth. Discovering that an ancient family feud has kept Moonacre in danger for many a year, Maria also learns that she is the next moon princess and that she alone may be able to succeed where others before her have failed. From there, the story takes you on a journey that is captivating throughout as Maria attempts to save Moonacre from slipping into eternal darkness, something that must be accomplished before the 5000th moon rises, something she cannot quite accomplish alone. As I do not want to put any spoilers within this commentary, I will only tell you that the final scene of this film is simply upliftingly fantastic.
The Secret of Moonacre is perfectly suited for children. I would say for ages 8-15, more for girls than boys, but there are elements to the film that boys, too, will enjoy. The special effects are superb starting with Maria's bedroom which is located atop Moonacre Manor with a clear ceiling that lets her view the starry / dreamy nights while laying in her bed. For girls there is a beautiful Unicorn and a very rare Moonacre rabbit; for boys there are outlaws in the forest (led by Tim Curry btw), an evil-looking but protective dog and an extroadinarily unique black lion. Moonacre is a love story and Moonacre is a joyous fairytale. It is a film with a female lead herione who challenges a world she faces that is filled with obstacles. Moonacre comes complete with lessons taught (i.e. how jealously and hate are destructive and yet they can be overcome). It is a film definitely worth repeating as its filled with small details that only repeat viewing will expose. The Secret of Moonacre is destined for greatness.
My daughter already wants to own it and for sure, she will. I've already placed an order for the blu ray version which I can only imagine will be stunning to watch.
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It's so hard when a favorite book is turned into a movie. You want to love it.....and sometimes end up wanting to sing comic songs on the graves of the butchers. (I'm not saying how they got into their graves).I also want to sing comic songs on the graves of reviewers who think the imagery is taken from other movies. No, Elizabeth Goudge did it first.
I can understand changing the story a bit but think things could have been tightened up to include some of the other storylines.
Why on earth make Rowlf black? Why does Robin have to be on the wrong side? Why do the villagers seem so mean greeting Maria with "She's a witch!" instead of "Be you the one, dearie?" Why oh why didn't they manage to include Old Parson? I would have been a lot happier with Old Parson and the children of Silvery Dew along for the ride.
BUT.... visually, it's beautiful. I adore the costumes, impractical as they are for roaming in the forest! I enjoyed the whole 'look' of the movie. Elizabeth Goudge's descriptions of people are so detailed it seems a shame they didn't stick to that, but Maria and Miss Heliotrope are wonderful exceptions.
The interviews and 'extras' were enjoyable also.
Maria's bedroom was just as it should be and I can forgive a lot for that.
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I really enjoyed this delightful film, mostly because of the wonderful performances. There isn't a false note. The leading girl is really special, with great support especially from Juliet Stevenson, who stands out. Suspense mixes surprisingly well with unexpected humor. And the film has Tim Curry, always a plus.Also the scenery and whimsical sets just seem perfect, and even the imaginative costumes contribute to the magical atmosphere.
Excellent family film.
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