Les Trois Mosquetaires: Milady (2023)

D'Artagnan (Francois Civil) is trying to find his kidnapped beloved (Lyna Khoudri) as King Louis XIII (Louis Garrel) wages war against a Protestant stronghold on the west coast of France. Meanwhile, the devious Milady De Winter (Eva Green) under Cardinal Richilieu's (Eric Ruf) orders is sent to England to assassinate the Duke of Buckingham (Jacob Fortune Lloyd). Based on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas and directed by Martin Bourboulon, who directed the first part LES TROIS MOSQUETAIRES: D'ARTAGNAN. Like the 1973 Richard Lester version, Bourboulon splits Dumas' novel in half and the second part focuses on the evil Milady. This section deviates considerably from the Dumas novel (notably on Milady's fate) and the film ends on a cliffhanger suggesting a sequel. The changes actually work but it's not Dumas so purists beware. The wide screen cinematography by Nicolas Bolduc (WAR WITCH) is impeccable as is the underscore by Guillaume Roussel. An expertly executed swashbuckler but far from my favorite of the novel's many film adaptations. With Vincent Cassel, Pio Marmai, Romain Duris, Vicky Krieps and Camille Rutherford.