Review of Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) by Matthew O — 18 Feb 2010

In 18th century France, the Chevalier de Fronsac and his Native American friend Mani are sent by the King to the Gevaudan province to investigate the killings of hundreds by a mysterious beast.

Brotherhood of the Wolf is a glorious looking drama, which begins with a impressive opening scene and solid first twenty minutes, setting up the characters and showing what the hunted beast is capable of.

Then the film pretty much drops off the radar. The film is slow and un-involving, and falls into a self absorbing mess losing sight of the wolf story and runs away with social dramas with the characters, that are never really that interesting.

Husband and wife duo Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel star, but not quite sure why. Bellucci plays a weird prostitute character that doesn?t really have any use apart from look gorgeous and wondering around aimlessly, and Cassel as an over the top crazed hunter.

Overal the film looks great, but is poorly executed and dull.