Stardust

Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Mark Strong, Rupert Everett, Sienna Miller, Kate Magowan, Ricky Gervais, Ian McKellen (voice)

Dir. Matthew Vaughn
Scr. Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn (based on novel by Neil Gaiman)

While it’s *not* the new Princess Bride (as one reviewer had the balls to claim), Stardust is a funny, magical, delightful movie. If you enjoy fantasy – if you can suspend disbelief for the length of an entire film – you won’t be disappointed by this gem of a film. There has been criticism over a lack of marketing, but often that is a good thing – lower expectations often make for a more satisfying and surprising cinematic experience.

Based on the 1998 illustrated novel by Neil Gaiman, Stardust is the story of love and magic and fallen stars and witches and kings and ghosts. I won’t rave too much about Gaiman (trust me, I could go on for several days about his genius), but let me just say that the movie has remained quite faithful to the book and retained the humour and magical fantasy that Gaiman is renowned for. Stardust begins in the small English village of Wall, so named because it is surrounded by a wall separating it from the magical realm. Tristan, half human and half not-so-much-human, declares he will retrieve a fallen star for the love of Victoria, a pretty (I suppose) but conceited young girl in the village. The fallen star turns out to be a woman and Tristan is not the only person who is after the star’s power – we have witches seeking to eat her heart to ensure eternal youth and a couple of princes seeking to be king. Let the adventure begin.

There is much fun to be enjoyed in Stardust and much wonder to wow you. Scenes on the lightening pirate ship had me nearly rolling in the aisles – let’s just say that De Niro is delightfully cast against type. The ghosts of murdered princes always amuse. The film looks lush and lovely. The special effects are competent – they are not going to necessarily amaze you, but they’re not noticeably bad. Everything and the kitchen sink is thrown into this tale – I was compelled throughout. It’s not the Princess Bride, as I noted, but it’s an entertaining diversion and will leave you smiling as you leave the cinema.

I was dubious about the casting initially. I am not a fan of Claire Danes and was worried about how she was going to pull off an English accent. I was delighted De Niro featured but suspected his performance would be clichéd. And Charlie Cox in the lead – well, who the hell is he?! In the end though, the casting was inspired. I won’t talk too much about De Niro’s performance because it might spoil the film for you. Let’s just say one word – genius. Pfeiffer, as head witch Lamia, is brilliant. I’m glad to see her back in some quality films giving quality performances. Gervais is, well, Gervais. A small role which is a little pointless. Funny, yes, but he is just himself as usual. The line-up of deceased princes (including Rupert Everett, Spaced star Mark Heap, Jason Flemyng, and David Walliams) are fantastic – great dialogue, perfect timing. Mark Strong as Prince Septimus is delightfully unlikeable. As is Sienna Miller, who plays love interest Victoria. Danes, as the fallen star Yvaine, gives a solid performance – yes, her accent does slip now and again, but she is spunky and funny and not too bad at all. I’m still not a fan, but she didn’t ruin the movie which she had the potential to do. The real find here is Cox – he is delightfully naïve, with good comic timing; not too handsome but cute enough to carry the film. Very clever casting indeed. And, just as an aside, the actress playing Una (Magowan) is absolutely and uttering the most naturally beautiful women I have seen on screen in quite some time.

This is not a perfect film and perhaps not as memorable or quotable as it could have been. But I was entertained and delighted throughout. Stardust looks great and feels magical. Not for everyone’s taste I imagine – I know many people who would rather set their head on fire than watch a fantasy movie. But if you’re partial to a bit of fairy-tale, this movie is for you.

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Narrator: A philosopher once asked, "Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?" Pointless, really... ”Do the stars gaze back?" Now *that's* a question.