| The Advocate | 
| Director: Leslie Megahey
Actors: Colin Firth, Ian Holm, Donald Pleasence, Amina Annabi, Nicol Williamson
Studio: Miramax
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.99
Buy New: $4.49
You Save: $5.50 (55%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $1.61
Avg. Customer Rating:   (23 reviews)
Sales Rank: 27104
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 102 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.5
MPN: DISD30892D
UPC: 786936220254
EAN: 0786936220254
ASIN: B00008L3S0
Release Date: July 1, 2003
Theatrical Release Date: August 24, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Description
Screen favorites Colin Firth (WHAT A GIRL WANTS, BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY) and Ian Holm (THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy, FROM HELL) star in THE ADVOCATE -- one of Hollywood's most controversial films in years and described by many as provocative, sexy, and fascinating. A courtroom thriller with a passionate edge, it's the story of a dynamic young lawyer (Firth) whose quest for the simple life leads him to a law position in a small rural town. What he finds instead is a disturbing case of murder, seduction, and corruption -- a case that reveals the mystery beneath the village's quiet facade. Yet as he searches for answers, he finds himself drawn into a web of intrigue and betrayal. Don't miss this sexy thriller -- a dark story about the many sides of truth, and passion's deadly price!
Amazon.com
The Advocate is an intriguing medieval court drama set in the days when humans and animals were both known to contain the devil. Courtois, an educated lawyer (Colin Firth), leaves the big city to find peace in the countryside but finds murderous acts holding the small hamlet in fear. To the town folk, Courtois's intelligence is nearly as mysterious as witchcraft, which is all the talk of the day. Since we rarely see a movie set in this time period, it intrigues but doesn't teach beyond its initial premise: animals can go on trial. The film is supported by some wonderful character actors, including Ian Holm as a priest with very liberal views and Nicol Williamson as the unofficial king. Lots of naughtiness mostly played for laughs makes this the first thinking person's ribald classic. --Doug Thomas
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Pretentious and cliched December 1, 2008
In the dark ages in France a young lawyer travels to a small village to be the Advocate, sort of like a public defender. It's a time when people believe in witchcraft and demon possession in people and animals. Thus, we see a donkey accused of being a party to beastiality, and a pig accused of murder, along with a host of witches, lunatics, and robbers. The Advocate (played by Colin Firth) is a sort of medieval Perry Mason, coming up with clever defenses.
The village is supposed to be brimming with hidden secrets, but none of the secrets are very earth shattering. They include a secret society that doesn't have any interesting secrets, a priest who chases women, a corrupt rich landowner, etc. Nothing very interesting.
The scenery and sets are well done. The casting director and the costume designer did a grand job of making the actors and extras look authentic. So, it's a visually attractive movie.
There is quite a bit of nudity, which will doubtless thrill the Firth fans, but it's not sensual. The sex scenes aren't steamy.
This was an okay movie to watch once, but I'm sorry I bought the DVD. I donated it to the library, so some good came of it.
 no laughing please May 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The gritty story of a pig's search for justice, OK, maybe I'm being a little harsh. It is gritty, as in everybody needs a bath, and there is a pig. I found myself laughing, I'm sure the filmmaker did not intend to make a comedy. I admit I'd probably be glad to watch Colin Firth twiddle his thumbs but this movie is a stretch. I love Ian Holm and he was a pleasure here. After I decided the movie was a spoof I enjoyed it more. (I don't think it was a spoof) Maybe the Middle Ages were just too absurd and depressing for a 21st Century girl. Oh well, you might like the movie go out and rent it. (Ah, is the 21st Century absurd and depressing?)
unusual March 7, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am a huge fan of Colin Firth...that is why I bought this DVD. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the plot of this movie. I did find it humorous and very unusual, but, his acting was,of course, fabulous. I would recommend this film to anyone who is simply smitten with Colin.
Great movie - very funny August 23, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I got a shock when this arrived because the cover seemed to indicate that it was some sort of deviant sex tape, not at all what I was expecting from the UK reviews I'd read. Thankfully the reviews were right and the movie was excellent - presumably the cover had been 'sexed-up' for the American market. A fantastic little movie, very funny, well acted, beautifully satirical and thoroughly recommended. Colin Firth is a delight, as always.
Would I recommend? Hmmm... January 4, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This really is a quirky movie with a lot of humorous moments. It is unclean in the most literal sense-everyone could use a bath. Colin Firth and Donald Pleasence perform well, as do others. However, I am still completely stumped as to what the big surprise is. We the viewers are implored to keep it a secret, but I have no idea what the spoiler is, and I watched it twice! I am usually not so dull to details, but this one escapes me.
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