The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (French: Jeanne D'Arc) is a 1999 French epic historical drama film directed by Luc Besson. The film stars Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway, and Dustin Hoffman.

Plot
The famed heroine of the Hundred Years War and religious martyr St. Joan of Arc has visions that inspire her to lead the French Armies against the terrors of the English Empire against her family and the Medieval Inquisition, allowing Charles VII to take the throne in France thanks to her success in routing the English.

Why It Sucks

 * 1) The film feels like a rip-off of Braveheart.
 * 2) Milla Jovovich's performance as Joan was not very good.
 * 3) Luc Besson's directing, as well as his and Andrew Birkin's screenplay are very weak.
 * 4) The film is far from historically accurate in relation to Joan's rebellion against the English Empire.
 * 5) *Besson stated that he was not interested in actually narrating the history of Joan of Arc; but rather, conveying "a message out of history that is relevant today."
 * 6) Although accurate, the ending scene where Joan was actually burned at the stake is disillusioning.

Trivia

 * Besson's film that preceded this film, The Fifth Element also starred Milla Jovovich, but was a commercial and critical success, and this film was intended to follow up on the positive influence that The Fifth Element had on both their careers.