LBzura
I first saw this movie when it was broadcast on the PBS Series "American Playhouse," around the same time they were doing things like Kurt Vonnegut's "Who am I this time?" directed by a young Jonathan Demme and starring Christopher Walken as a man almost paralyzed by overwhelming shyness, but who managed to live out a full and interesting life by acting in local theater productions and adopting the personalities of the characters he portrayed. Belizaire is just and compelling, interesting and wonderfully acted. This is an admittedly slow, but lyrical period piece that transports you to another time and place with effortless grace and simplicity. Assante is marvelous, with that amazing ability to disappear into character.
ragreen259
What a fantastic movie... beautifully shot, terrific story, incredible music. Belizaire carries his torch for Alida, the love of his life, to the end, and uses his knowledge of superstitions to get his way. A fairly accurate portrayal of life in the Bayou, and the prejudices faced by the Acadian settlers, and how so many of them dealt with it. In my opinion, this has to be one of Armand Assante's best roles. Humor, tragedy, excitement, and intrigue, all rolled into one package. The only reason I can figure that this movie has gotten a low rating here is that there must be a number of people who are heavily weighted voters that simply voted it down with the good olé' "it was stupid," (read: I have no idea what was going on, nothing exploded, people had funny accents, and the music was weird)mentality. See it, decide for yourself.
ap_dakinihaven
Absolutely brilliant! Why none of the cable networks haven't made it into a series is beyond me. Probably best enjoyed by those over 30 who like intelligent fare. The director's sense of humour and humanity remind me of Francois Truffaut's best work. Armand Assante turns in an excellent performance in the title role of Belizaire.
Joe-385
I am puzzled by the low rating for this film. It stands as one of my all-time favorite films. Every aspect of it shines, writing, directing, acting, soundtrack. It's a beautiful film about a little-known piece of American history, and it shows the underpinnings of a culture most of us know only as a reference to food. In particular, the soundtrack by Beausoleil is a masterpiece of fitting the cultural music to the mood.Cultural insights aside, the story is moving and the characters are fully realized individuals. Belizaire in particular is complex, funny, and touching -- a healer who gets by on his wits and truly cares for his people.Don't let the low-rating here dissuade you. If you get the chance to see the movie see it, and you may find a lifelong favorite, too.
AD
