This film was made in 2014, but took til 2022 to be released. Obs, this is not a good sign and after seeing the movie, it’s even a worse sign. Pierce Brosnan plays Louis XIV, who is determined to live forever, so he sends an expedition to bring home a mermaid. Meanwhile, his daughter (Kaya Scodelario) who’s been hidden away in a convent, is brought to Versailles (where the film was partially shot). This plot is absurd enough, but the sadly surface script takes the project into painfully bad territory. It’s made even worse by the flat direction of Sean McNamara, who directed the embarrassing VA production The Field of Lost Shoes (my scathing review). Even the accomplished DP Conrad Hall couldn’t manage to make the gorgeous palace look beautiful and what should be dazzling period costumes are a yawn. The simple predictability of the plot and earnest melodramatic slant of the production could appeal to children, who are more forgiving with their fantasy. Otherwise, it’s a complete bust. 
(2 / 5)
