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The Movie Nut
"Stardust" Directed by: Matthew Vaughn Starring: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Peter O'Toole Rated: PG13 (for brief, im plied violence and mayhem, implied animal and human sac rifice) Running time: 128 minutes Best suited for: family fantasy fans Least suited for: those who've already peaked in cin ematic fantasyland this year A trio of witches, a magic kingdom, a pauper prince, misguided love, unicorns and a beautiful, mysterious girl who's really a heavenly star that's fallen to earth- there isn't much "Stardust" doesn't include in its fanciful realm. This breezy children's fable tries hard, occasionally too hard, to be the next "The Princess Bride." In other words, sometimes it's possible to both like and not like a film. Had I left in the middle of "Stardust" I would have liked it less. Had I entered the theater 40 minutes later, I would have liked it more.
For children and for families catering to children, I have no doubt the film will be a magical success. "Stardust" certainly provides a plethora of the right ingredients- and the little tykes seldom fret about nuance and subtlety. Claire Danes nicely plays a star named Yvaine, a star as in a sunlike mass of nuclear fission, which falls to earth as an attractive, sarcastic blonde. Charlie Cox plays Tristan, the English bumpkin who promises his unrequited love, Victoria (Sienna Miller), that he'd go so far as to lasso a falling star to secure her love. Thus, the bored Victoria sets Tristan forth on his fool's errand, into a magical kingdom conveniently located just beyond a breach in their village's distant stone wall. The film tells the tale of Tristan's attempt to bring Yvaine back to his presumed love and of the relationship the young man and the pretty star forge along the way. As fairy tales go, "Stardust" is occasionally inventive. But much of it we've seen before. Not that anyone who frequents movie theaters should find repetition disturbing. Recycling plot lines isn't headline news in Hollywood.
More than once, while watching "Stardust," I had the distinct feeling that director Matthew Vaughn was trying to repackage "Bride's" secret formula- blending silly kid-friendly chatter with subtle adult innuendo, stirring in old world fairy tale lore with New Age fantasy. But perfection is seldom served twice. Take Robert De Niro's role, for instance. He plays Capt. Shakespeare, the commander of a very cool pirate ship that soars through the clouds. But he's also gay- flamingly so in private, yet gruff and brooding to his crew. For a while I couldn't quite get into his character (not to mention the moment or two I wasn't certain De Niro was comfortable with it either). Maybe it was something to do with the dialogue. I had that same vibe with Michelle Pfeiffer's performance as Lamia, an evil witch who can reclaim her lost youth only by cutting out the heart of a fallen star. "Stardust" even verges on depicting that brutal act. (This is the film's only scene where some parents might feel a slight tug on a sleeve and a childlike whisper proclaiming, "Mom, I'm going to need therapy now.") With such heavy-hitting talent on screen as De Niro, Pfeiffer, Danes and Peter O'Toole (who briefly plays the magical kingdom's CEO), I'm finding it difficult to explain why "Stardust" isn't the treat that many might hope for. Again, I suspect the dialogue is the real culprit. And, again, I'm forced to play the comparison card because "The Princess Bride" gave us sterling dialogue. "Stardust's" banter is hit and miss, and for those who rely on witty repartee to make or break a film, you may feel slightly underwhelmed. For others, for whom a nicely rendered mythical realm is sufficient, go and enjoy. And especially for the younger crowd, "Stardust" manages to retain a sweet charm and should provide plenty of magical entertainment. |
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