User reviews

It might be easy to confuse the effectiveness of this movie with the actors' performances. I find that script or editing is generally a culprit when things don't work well, and that may be the case here. The story line, as it's presented, feels disconnected from scene to scene. This is particularly true in the very last scene, which doesn't give us a any information whatsoever about how the King winds up in the condition he's in; we are left to make assumptions. But perhaps it doesn't matter how the king ended up as he did. Alex Corti, director, may only have wanted us to be aware that the King played out a wildly descriptive metaphor for the psychological condition that plagued him throughout the movie. The end makes sense, metaphorically. This is a significant film for Timothy Dalton because his acting is virtually devoid of posturing and hyperbole. I'm struck again and again at how authentic are his reactions, given his grasp of the King's dysfunction. Perhaps because of the story, or the expectations of the director, Dalton seems instinctively aware of the King's passion, obsessive focus and possessiveness. We don't know Dalton in his private life, but I find him most effective when he takes on characters of a dark and threatening nature. I don't think he makes one false step in this movie, which is saying a lot. Of all his films that I've seen, this one--while very dark and difficult to watch for its unrelenting obsession and depressive qualities--is his most authentic; his most believable. Over and above his performance, I don't agree with the other reviewer that Valeri Golino gives us a wooden performance with no nuance. She demonstrates early on that her character is given to spontaneous, unguarded passions; that she is naive to political protocol. Indeed, we see these qualities mature into calculated vengeance, when she has been mortally wounded by the betrayal of her husband and family, at which point she becomes ruthless--as abused victims often are, in the face of too early or horrific a trauma in their lives. She figures out how to play the game to her advantage, and given her natural eccentricity, such a discovery makes her the most dangerous player in the film. At no time, even when she is resisting/ignoring the Kings' advances, do I doubt her wild and iconoclastic streak, which says everything about Golino's performance. Indeed, the King's obsession with her seems a completely natural outgrowth of his admiration for her ability to flaunt protocol, and her intelligence. I think both performances were excellent. It's the general darkness of the script that makes it difficult to watch, and the strange, ham-handed way the director/editor has of piecing together scenes. This is not an action movie, or even a costume drama. It's a movie about dysfunctional motivations, uses and abuses of power, and in this regard the movie is a rather timeless statement on the psychology of individual and political power. Watch it and decide for yourself. Timothy Dalton and Valeri Golino will not disappoint.

The storyline of the King's Mistress may seem like your basic Barbara Cartland novel but this is not the case with this movie. It is a bit difficult to watch since it is a foreign film for the most part but the actors do a fine job and if you stay with it the story line becomes a bit surprising. If you can find it, give it a watch. And if you are expecting to lust after Dalton when you see him in that wig, forget it, he's a somewhat pitiful bad-guy in this movie and you'll end up feeling sorry for the character and again aware of what a fine actor Dalton really is. (I had to buy this movie on e-bay so you may have to look for it!)

I enjoyed this movie but it did fall short of the great film that it should have been. Main strengths were the stunning visual aspects and Timothy Dalton's mesmerising performance. Surely he has to be the most underrated actors of our time. His portrayal of psychological complexity in his characters in unmatched. Weak points are the jumpy plot, erratic editing (apparently a lot of scenes were cut) and lack of bodice ripping scenes. There is plenty of emotion but the steaminess is mostly implied. Still worth seeing, particularly for Dalton fans or for lovers of historical costume drama.

This is an outstanding, breathtaking history which astonished me. I recorded this film when it was emited on TV and I watch it 4 days a week. I know it could be strange to you, but I love this story. It is so moving. It's a masterpiece. The actors, the screenplay, th dialogues! Valeria Golino and Timothy Dalton are gorgeous. It doesn't matter who and what tells about this film - I love it!

Timothy Dalton does it again! As I become a bigger fan of his I am amazed at the depth and emotion he lends to his characters. This movie has some plot weaknesses which I cannot decide if would be corrected by less or more film. Bravo to Timothy Dalton. His range of emotion is fantastic. Even when not speaking he conveys so much as when Jeanne finally comes to him. Dalton also continues to show off his sword prowess with a very complex scene near the end. Worth seeing!

I have no idea how on earth I missed this film. It threatens to become a new favourite Timothy Dalton appearance. Simply put, this 1990 gem is one of the best movies I've seen about the power of true love. What an epic example of acting magnificence from Timothy Dalton! With another 7 years of acting under his belt after Jane Eyre, his portrayal of the King is authentic, magnetic, deep, raw, with hints of Jane's Eyre's Rochester only more powerful. He makes no mis-steps in this piece, plus he has a sword and oh boy can he use it! So if you're a fan of Timothy Dalton, find this film and enjoy the treat. And if you're not a fan, you are about to discover a top performance by one of the finest actors of our time. You're welcome.

This movie is deep and has meaning. it's about a woman that won't acept a man that loves her deeply, he's a king and he's handsome he gives her everything she wants you might ask yourself what the problem is well she's afraid of he's love and she loves him to but won't let herself or him know that fact.intresting movie and touching.

In all FAIRNESS, more than likely, Mr. Dalton accepted this project because it started out as an interesting character study of a King with an Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder. And how said disorder can lead a person into becoming a stalker, peeping-tom, and lusting after a woman who refuses to have anything to do with him other than "friendship". However, he does become a more nurturing care-giver than Florence Nightingale, and Sister Kenny combined AFTER the object of affection/obsession contracts SMALLPOX!

I truly believe that this flick was supposed to be a real bodice ripper. Y'know, sexcapades in Period Costume, but, then, somehow, it took a diversionary track to "make a statement" about devotion and how "we" are used by those we love and how "we" use those who love us.

Waffling between "historical mock-u-drama" and bodice ripper, loaded down with a female lead that gives no more emotionally than a 2x4 plank of lumber, it's no wonder that Mr. Dalton started chewing on the scenery! Mr. Dalton's talent is too good to be wasted in this dreck!

In summary, if you love Mr. Dalton's work, you'll find SOMETHING redeemable in this film, (I did even though I'll never get the time I spent watching it back!). Otherwise, rent JANE EYRE, or A LION IN WINTER.

this movie has hit many of life's little dramas we all have around us. it's just like a friend you haven't seen in a long time that's catching you up on the latest news. it is not overly acted. the other title, 'the king's mistress', is more of a front of the store movie name than it is the back room like the original name, 'the king's whore'. but, i believe, 'whore' is the better of the two titles. they all play realistic parts and it's easy to keep up with. the feelings the actors portray seem quite sincere. the life emotions that are brought to the screen make this one of the most involved movies i've seen in years.

oh, the 'jane eyre' with timothy in it was more of a play an amateur would put on compared to this movie. the 'jane eyre' with george c. scott and orsen wells were both much better versions.

I'm anxious to see Timothy Dalton in anything he does, but this movie was not worth my time. I hung in there until the end more out of optimism that it would improve than enjoyment. Basically the king is a controlling dog and Jeanne is a, well, you know. This movie is going into the "waste of my time" category. If you want to see Timothy Dalton at his finest, rent the BBC production of Jane Eyre--now THAT is a film.

This movie was simply long and drawn out. Its plot was extremely shaky and the acting was less then exceptional. Basically it is about a King who in his wise decision-making decides to take on a lady(who he falls in love with). The lady was supposed to be wed to someone else, so things get messed up. The movie goes through their lives and shows the final end. I would not bother seeing it though, I almost fell asleep.