Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction

The movie has gorgeous photography and it's a beauty for the eyes. The noble sensation it tries to transmit is there, the interiors of the buildings are well done, specially of the church, simply astonishing.

The story has surprising twists for a comedy-romance movie, certainly something more fresh than the more predicted stories of Hollywood. Fast paced and not boring, except for a little exaggeration - in my opinion - in key acting points from the main man, who overall did a good job alongside with the rest of the cast.

The sound score is top notch, especially the last opera at the very end, it almost made me feel like hovering.

IMHO this movie should be more higher rated. Go and watch it.

But anyone with a broad mind and a sense of fun will find this film a total delight. I approached it warily, sensing a tired old BBC-flavoured costume drama along the lines of Persuasion or Pride and Prejudice (the more recent version: the earlier one with Colin Firth was genial), but two minutes in and the sight of the Arch Duchess recomposing herself for her portrait after making a failed grab at the artist and I was captivated. Dialogues are spot on: timeless and utterly convincing; acting is flawless across the board; photography is ravishing. What more do you want? Answer, I want more from this team and this director.

Bille August's sumptuous production of Karen Blixen's novel is a joy for the eyes. It has fabulous on-location sets, beautiful countryside, CGI-enhanced mountain backdrops, and great costumes. It is filled with sweet, gentle, wry humor. It's a period-piece romantc comedy that Jane Austen lovers will also like very much. The cast did a fine job, with the three leads delivering convincing and (mostly) subtle performances that fit the tomne and mood of the story. All that said, it was a also a bit flat at times, and a bit overplayed, so a touch disappointing as well. Will there be a sequel ? It would be fun to see one !

This was a witty, delightful romp, reminiscent of Shakespeare and with beautifully fantastical design and costumes.

Its European humour will be lost on many, but I laughed and chuckled my way through this gorgeous, gentle comedy from the Danes.

Based on the novel by Karen Blix, it is a tale of lust, beauty, honour and devotion. It's set in a fictional Danish court in the 1830s and makes great use of real-life Royal locations, provided by Queen Margrethe II.

I loved it even more after watching the behind the scenes doco, where I learnt the Queen was the driving creative force behind the production. She is utterly delightful.

In this adaptation of a Karen Blixen novel, Cazotte (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) discusses the art of seduction with The Grand Duchess (Sidse Babett Knudsen) while painting her. They hatch the idea of him teaching her shy son, Prince Lohar (Emil Aron Dorph) how to seduce Princess Ludmilla (Emilie Kroyer Koppel). The plan works and the young couple gets married.

However, a scandalous situation breaks out that requires the couple to hide from society for a few months in the country. Cazotte, who has been fancying lovely and proper young woman Ehrengard (Alice Esther Bier Zandén) for sometime now, suggests that she keeps Ludmilla company while the couple is in hiding.

Cazotte makes a bet with the Grand Duchess that he can seduce Ehrengard during this period of seclusion.

The conniving pair could not imagine that Ehrengard is not as naive and dumb as they think she is. What she does would leave a lasting impact on Cazotte and society.

This is pleasing to the eyes thus manages to hold the attention while the viewer keeps wondering what the story is leading up to. The twist at the end would leave the viewer chuckling.