Tristan & Isolde

The centuries-old legend of doomed lovers finally comes to Hollywood via countless adaptations and a Wagner opera. As feuding tribes struggle for the throne of Britain, warrior Tristan (James Franco) falls for Irish princess Isolde (Sophia Myles) who is betrothed to his stepfather the king (Rufus Sewell). The central themes and relationships are compelling, but it's let down by some undernourished conflicts and a weak lead in Franco. Myles, though, is a truly delightful Isolde and it's nice to see Sewell not playing the period baddie for once. The battles may be small scale but they're brisk and imaginative, but given some of the overblown plot developments, opera probably remains the best medium in which to tell this tale. [Paul Greenwood]