The Messenger: The Story Of Joan Of Arc

By RICHARD SCHICKEL

The Maid of Orleans has always been played as an innocent speaking truth to corrupt power. In this version of the story, Milla Jovovich goes a step further and plays her as God-addled--all heat, energy and passion, a teenager who doesn't begin to think calmly until it's too late. This makes for a lively, nutty film, one full of clumsy, clanging battles filmed by the gifted, eccentric Besson (La Femme Nikita) with bloody brio. Besson is less confident of his genius with the court intrigues that bring Joan down, but that's where all the good actors--John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway--are. Dustin Hoffman makes a well-played but weird sort of grand inquisitor.

--By Richard Schickel