Ladyhawke (1985)

I have greatly enjoyed this movie ever since I first saw it in the theater; I own a copy today. I think it was my introduction to Matthew Broderick (assuming I saw War Games in a college arthouse rerun) because I was impressed with his character as Phillipe "the Mouse" Gaston, an escaped thief who talks simply and directly to God about his troubles. Phillipe is saved from recapture by the stern but gallant Navarre (Rutger Hauer), ex-Captain of the Guard, loyal to the king but likewise pursued by soldiers of the villainous Bishop of Aquila (John Wood). The power-mad cleric has cast a spell on Navarre and his beloved Isabeau d'Anjou (Michelle Pfeiffer) so that they can never simultaneously be together in human form -- if the bishop can't have her, no one can (goes the logic) -- so Navarre is a wolf by night, Isabeau is a hawk by day. The scenery of vast swards and sweeping skies is memorable even as the story of cursed lovers who cannot touch is moving. (Pfeiffer was also considered the It girl of the day.) Father Imperius the Monk (Leo McKern) is a growling friar who assists the trio to confront the bishop in his medieval church lair. Some fault the production for its synthesizer-based soundtrack, which does seem wimpy and dated, though quaintly so. (Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells soundtrack for The Killing Fields is much more visceral and timeless by comparison.) Ladyhawke shows a lot of influence on films like The Princess Bride and A Knight's Tale. It remains a classic in its genre and should be seen (and shared) by anyone with a romantic bone in his or her body. 4 stars.