Ladyhawke

Looking for that perfect romantic film? We watched Ladyhawke for the gal's birthday this weekend and it was just the thing. She had never seen it and for me the years were many since viewing this great fantasy. The lovers are perfect specimens of humanity... when they're not turning into animals. As with all love affairs involving jealous bishops and the Evil One, the situation is complicated, and the curse on our heroes turns one into a hawk by day (guess which, the title is a dead giveaway) and the other from dusk to dawn into a black wolf. You thought you had problems.

This is a charming film. You are rooting every minute for beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer to be reunited. Two more handsome lovers you'll never find; I've seen Mr and Mrs Smith and I'll take this film over that one any day. Their companion Matthew Broderick is a thief and escape artist called Mouse who talks to God like Ferris Bueller talks to the audience. "We have come full circle, Lord," he says at one juncture. "I would like to think there is some higher meaning in this. It certainly would reflect well on You." He's a big part of the charm, lightening things up when the story starts to feel a bit heavy, and like just about everything else in the movie he never makes you forget you're in a period piece.

Just about everything is perfect. The Italian settings are magnificent, the castles in particular at Torrechiara and Rocca Calascio (pictured below) transporting you to a majestic vision of the 12th century. There is, however, the small matter of the music. You might have heard about it. Using pop-synth keyboards for a movie set in the High Middle Ages is plain goofy, no way around it, but you can simply ignore the score and enjoy the story. It's like Confucius says: Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

Grab your honey and check out Ladyhawke, it's fun and so very romantic.