There are love stories,and then there are love stories that pack a powerful punch.Tristan and Isolde indeed falls in the latter category. I must confess to not being an avid watcher of romance films,and was expecting not to enjoy much,if any of this film at all.I came away pleasantly surprised,as this film has a power that is hard not to acknowledge.It is two love stories in one.An English warrior is torn between the love of a woman from a country with which they are at war, and the man to which he owes his very life.The problem is,his two loves are sworn to one another,though not by the lady's choosing.The story is told well,and the film beautifully done.As of this writing,it is still in theaters and is worthy of the admission price,not to mention a worthwhile future rental.

During the Dark Ages, Briton struggles with its divided tribes after the fall of the Romans. The Irish prospers taking advantage of the divisions. Tristan's father tried to forge an alliance of all the tribes with Marke (Rufus Sewell) as the king. They are surprised and massacred by the Irish. Marke saved Tristan at the cost of his hand. Tristan (James Franco) is raised by Marke. Powerful Irish King Donnchadh (David O'Hara) promises Princess Isolde (Sophia Myles)'s hand in marriage to his best warrior Morholt. Tristan leads a raid on a slaving party and kills Morholt. Tristan is set off on a funeral boat when his men mistakenly believe he died. Tristan's boat drifts to Ireland where he's saved by Isolde.

This tries to be a medieval sweeping romance. Franco and Myles are beautiful people who have a beautiful romance. The movie lacks the sweeping nature needed. It's competent but lacking in style. The sets fits the smaller era that is being portrayed. Although, it doesn't have to look small which it does. This romantic story feels limited and stretched out on the screen.

In the Dark Ages, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the weak Britain is divided in several clans, while the powerful Ireland, untouched by Romans, dominates and spoils the British tribes. The fair and noble British leader Marke (Rufus Sewell) meets with the other chiefs trying to unite their country, but they are attacked and slaughtered by the Irish army leaded by Morholt (Graham Mullins). Marke looses one hand protecting the young Tristan, who had just lost his parents, and he raises the boy as if he were of his blood. Years later, after another attack of the Irish forces, Tristan (James Franco) rescues his people that were captured to serve as slaves and kills the mean Morholt, for whom the beautiful Irish princess Isolde (Sophia Myles) was promised to get married. Tristan is poisoned by the sword of Morholt, declared dead by his mates, and is put on a boat for the funeral services. Isolde finds the boat with Tristan in an Irish beach with her maid-servant Bragnae (Bronagh Gallagher),she saves him and along the days they fall in love for each other. When Tristan returns to Britain, Isolde lies about her name. Her father, King Donnchadh (David Patrick O'Hara),together with the traitor Wictred (Mark Strong),decides to promote a joust, to divide the British and make Wictred king, promising the hand of Isolde to the winner, but Tristan wins the tournament. Without knowing that Isolde is his love, Tristan offers her to Marke, to promote the union of Britain. When he sees who Isolde is, he has to decide between his friendship and loyalty to Marke and his love for Isolde.

This is the first time that I see the poignant story of "Tristan + Isolde" and I loved this movie. It is perfect: a beautiful and tragic romance in magnificent landscapes and scenarios; excellent screenplay, with adequate pace and development of characters; wonderful direction, art direction, costumes, music score and cinematography. The cast is stunning, highlighting the adorable Sophia Myles. I have just included "Tristan + Isolde" is the list of my favorite movies. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Tristão e Isolda" ("Tristan and Isolde")