Désirée (1954)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The acting in this movie is really good.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Marlon Brando and the rest of the cast do their very best with the rather average material with which they were lumbered. In addition, there is nothing much interesting about this film. I was expecting something more dynamic and thrilling and scenes that show Napoleon in battle. Alas, none of this was included in the screenplay. The plot just drags along. Brando and Jean Simmons work well together but their scenes together become few and far between.

1954 biography of Napoleon leaves a lot to be desired.History is rushed in the film. At least, they could have shown what Napoleon and his French army had to endure during the bitter cold Russian winter that the invaders encountered.The story is of Desiree who meets Napoleon during a walk in the park. He is assertive, demanding and is so much into himself. He immediately arranges the marriage of his brother to Desiree's sister and promises Desiree marriage only to be swept away by Josephine in Paris.Another fateful encounter brings Michael Rennie into the film and they are wed.As Josephine, Merle Oberon is totally wasted in the role. She appears briefly and of course was dumped for her inability to produce an heir to the throne.How Rennie was chosen to be the future king of Sweden was not fully explained, but we soon see that Desiree was unable to adopt to Swedish culture and returns home as Napoleon prepares for world domination in the name of bringing forth a united Europe.

Weak adaptation of Annemarie Selinko's book about the crowded love life of Napoleon Bonaparte is one-part battle-fatigued romance and the other a fictionalized history lesson. Since screenwriter Daniel Taradash hasn't made a decision on which path he wants to take, the film ends up being not much of anything, though it is certainly well-dressed and handsomely produced. Jean Simmons is attractive playing an unmarried miss working in her family's silk shop in 1794 Marseilles; while dining one night with guest Napoleon and his brother--before Napoleon has taken the throne as Emperor to France--he has rashly proposed marriage and she has accepted. Unfortunately, he has already consented to marry another, the Empress Josephine, leading Simmons into a loveless marriage with Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. Much work was slavered on the thin material to give it a grand opulence, and it does look terrific, but there's not much else here beyond the pretty visuals to engage the heart. Marlon Brando's Bonaparte never quite takes shape; he's a rude, blurry, not-quite-present bully with no manners--where's the charismatic Napoleon who had the presence to captivate Europe in the years following the Revolution? Director Henry Koster shows a prickly sense of humor when he gets the chance, but he can't do anything positive with Taradash's narrative, which skitters along from episode to episode without filling in the blanks. ** from ****

I love Brando. As to Napoleon, we have a major library here with walls and walls of Napoleon books -- I have never seen so many about one person. Napoleon was just the hottest -- and so is Marlon Brando. This movie should be named "Napoleon", and would be memorable to more people.I have also studied method acting, though certainly a more watered down version than Brando's. But in both our versions, we are told by the director to go for the throat of the emotions -- to hold nothing back -- and that the lines are secondary to the raw feelings. Brando is a master of raw feelings -- the fact that he held back in this movie only goes to show that the character of Napoleon was shrewd and collected when needed. After all, Napoleon invaded several countries in his plan of expansion (I know that Napoleon's plans have other names, but I will not find fault here).I have recently studied different European history classes at Ohio State University. I had previously not known that besides France, Napoleon "visited" Spain and Germany, much less his harrowing winter problem in Russia about which I had heard vaguely. That boy really got around. Yep, in OSU History of Russia, Germany and Spain (3 different courses), Napoleon has figured prominently in each of those countries.Well, in my opinion, Marlon Brando should come back and make more Napoleon movies, such as a huge series exploring different parts of Napoleon's life. Marlon is a master talent who still teaches us after all these years. I would take an acting class from him any time. I have read the book, "Brando", and it is a fabulous study of his life. He is a kind, caring human being."Hey, Stella !!!!!!!!!!!"................. :) to MarlonP.S. Update: Around July 1, 2004 (or so), Marlon Brando passed away. Gone is the innovator who stopped everyone in their tracks, and he still continues to do so. Just watch any one of his movies. Marlon, they didn't understand you, but you were profound.