In
this Medieval hodge-podge, names from antiquity are freely recycled with little
regard for their origins. Our hero’s father Theron is a wise lord of great integrity,
who is betrayed by the evil Maeldan. However, Theron of Acragas is now remembered
only as the “Tyrant of Sicily” for his harsh rule in the 480s BC. Theron’s
vengeance-seeking son Aegeas is not exactly Aegeas, the King of Athens and
father of Theseus, at least not yet. Asteria the forest foundling is hardly a
Titaness, but she will act as a protector of Aegeas. However, Aegeas will save
her life first in Quentin de Jubecourt’s Nymphadelle
(trailer
here),
which screens during the 2018 Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema.
For
one thousand years, the good but childless king ruled over peaceful Undine. With
his death, he bequeathed his throne to noble Theron, which was just fine with
everyone except Maeldan. Naturally, the usurper must also completely massacre
all of Theron’s line, but his loyal son and reluctant heir manages to slip away.
After saving Asteria from Maeldan’s cutthroats, the two form a fast alliance.
Yet, Asteria forcefully and repeatedly counsels Aegeas against wrath and the
fruitless pursuit of revenge. She might have a point in terms of personal
development, but Aegeas really isn’t in the mood to hear it.
Nymphadelle’s production
values are astonishingly high for either an extended short film or a rather
abbreviated fifty-five-minute feature. It has the look and texture of the
European Dark Ages. You can just feel that Medieval Warming Period. However,
the narrative is over-burdened with flashbacks and eventually it just
dissipates into woo-woo New Age mushiness. There is no doubt about it, this
film needs more grit and grime.
The
cast is rather inconsistent, awkwardly starting with the less than imposing
Lucas Bernardi as Aegeas. By far, the most valuable player is Audrey Marain,
who displays impressive action chops and a gauzy fantasy heroine presence
vaguely reminiscent of Michelle Pfeiffer in Ladyhawke.
Olivier le Dauphin sneers with authority as Maeldan, while Patrick Guidetti is
so noble as Theron, it practically hurts to look at him.