FULL SYNOPSIS
This plodding, pretentious feature is based on the story Othon by Pierre Corneille. The expressionless actors deliver their lines dressed in ancient Roman costumes while the traffic of modern-day Rome roars by in the background. Director Jean-Marie Straub's fascination with the Gallic poet is admirable, but people left en mass at the Venice Film Festival well before the picture was done being shown. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi