The Dark Knight Rises Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate VI (Team Frenchie Edition)

[Zatanna]

Not sure what all the panic and worry is about. The thing about Miranda...

Spoiler

is that she's not supposed to have a flashy, front-and-center role. Talia's role in this is that of a spy. A mole, if you will. In BB, Ra's masquerading as Ducard was quite different because he and Bruce work together for an extended sequence early on, and then he is gone for most of the film, only to return right at the start of the third act.

This time, with Talia, she is essentially playing a role for the entire film. That is her purpose, and it is her goal not to be obvious or overbearing. She never forces herself upon Bruce, and he doesn't force himself upon her (which is unusual for a romance because usually one is pursuing the other). Instead, they come together at a time when Bruce is completely vulnerable. Their 'hook up' sort of just happens naturally, which is the way it often happens in reality. "Miranda" also confides in Bruce about her past, though for us, it's clear she's referring to her life as Talia.

Then, as we know, Bruce is MIA from Gotham for a chunk of the film. Miranda remains in the film as a supposed ally of the "good guys". She helps out, but her "helping" Bruce's allies only works further towards her plans. When Bruce finally does return, he hasn't forgotten about her and wants to make sure she is safe. It's never stated or implied that he's "in love" with her (or that she's in love with him), but it's clear Bruce does care for her and wants her to survive this ordeal. All of this, IMO, proves that Talia was as good a mole as anyone could have been, and for the uninitiated (clearly not you guys), her reveal comes at another time of vulnerability for Batman. Her reveal also takes place later in the film than the reveal of Ra's did in BB.

If we had gotten more "Talia", we would have gotten less Bane, or they would have shared the spotlight in some ways. The way this story is told prevents TDKR from suffering from the same problems as Spidey 3 did. And btw, the Batman/Catwoman romance hardly comes into play until the final portion of the film.

And, IMO, many reviewers have not been focusing on her role mostly because of the aforementioned reasons. It's a touchy subject and tough to get into in a review.

Thank you for this. It made me feel a tad bit better.

 

[Zatanna]

I will admit though that a part of me is disappointed over the fact that:

Spoiler

this version of Talia won't be as conflicted when dealing with Bruce as opposed to her comic counterpart. i was kind of hoping to see her develop some sincere feelings for him during this entire time and have her conflicted over that versus her duty/mission/revenge...leading up to a emotional farewell between the two when she's about to die. By all accounts, Talia is who Bruce may have ended up with if her father's death and Bruce having stayed with the LOS weren't issues.

I know. I explained my feelings on this last night. Being a fan, it does hurt.

Those pics of Marion at the premiere are gorgeous. I like her little outfit. So cute, and she's glowing.

 

[Any Carolina]

And beautiful philanthropist Miranda Tate (the remarkable Marion Cotillard) and idealistic young cop John Blake (a sensationally good Joseph Gordon- Levitt) spring surprises no one sees coming.
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-dark-knight-rises-20120716#ixzz20q7sGG3L

Hardy, Gordon-Levitt and Cotillard, recruited for duty after their stints in "Inception," are all on their game here, blending easily in a supporting cast anchored by old pros Caine, Oldman and Freeman.
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117947904/

Hathaway invests her catlike woman with verve and impudence, while Cotillard is a warm and welcome addition to this often forbidding world.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/dark-knight-rises-movie-review-batman-349354

Cotillard makes Miranda a seductive plutocrat generous enough to fund a bold new society;
http://entertainment.time.com/2012/...rk-knight-rises-to-the-depths-to-the-heights/

Marion Cotillard is also a new addition to the cast as Miranda Tate, and she seems to represent a new opportunity for Bruce to connect to someone, a chance for him to build a life outside of Gotham. She does strong work with a tough role, and she has several moments that are impressively nuanced. Gotham has always been a major character in the Nolan films, and that's true here as well.
http://www.hitfix.com/motion-captur...es-out-nolans-trilogy-with-brains-and-bombast

Marion Cotillard feels shoe-horned into the film most of the way, though she is lovely and interesting to watch.
http://moviecitynews.com/2012/07/review-ish-the-dark-knight-rises-spoiler-free/

Wayne feels he can stay hidden in his mansion, a truculent Beast resisting being transformed by Marion Cotillard’s Beauty.
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137000

As the demure Miranda Tate, Marion Cotillard exudes a sweet warmth, while Hathaway as the conniving, acidic Selina Kyle is a dangerous seductress. There's potential for an interesting dynamic between the three characters, but Nolan and co-writer Jonathan Nolan don't offer enough emotional beats to either woman's story to allow them to become compelling romantic figures. Though both actresses deliver assured performances, their characters stay symbols, never quite becoming people.
http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/...9.article?blocktitle=The-Latest&contentID=592

 

[Any Carolina]

Yup, all true.

I read this in a Brazilian forum, and as you watched the movie, I decided to ask you if it was true or not, but thank you anyway, for responding.

 

[Black Narcissus]

 

[Batman jr.]

like a boss.

 

[Batman jr.]

And beautiful philanthropist Miranda Tate (the remarkable Marion Cotillard) and idealistic young cop John Blake (a sensationally good Joseph Gordon- Levitt) spring surprises no one sees coming.
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-dark-knight-rises-20120716#ixzz20q7sGG3L

Hardy, Gordon-Levitt and Cotillard, recruited for duty after their stints in "Inception," are all on their game here, blending easily in a supporting cast anchored by old pros Caine, Oldman and Freeman.
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117947904/

Hathaway invests her catlike woman with verve and impudence, while Cotillard is a warm and welcome addition to this often forbidding world.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/dark-knight-rises-movie-review-batman-349354

Cotillard makes Miranda a seductive plutocrat generous enough to fund a bold new society;
http://entertainment.time.com/2012/...rk-knight-rises-to-the-depths-to-the-heights/

Marion Cotillard is also a new addition to the cast as Miranda Tate, and she seems to represent a new opportunity for Bruce to connect to someone, a chance for him to build a life outside of Gotham. She does strong work with a tough role, and she has several moments that are impressively nuanced. Gotham has always been a major character in the Nolan films, and that's true here as well.
http://www.hitfix.com/motion-captur...es-out-nolans-trilogy-with-brains-and-bombast

Marion Cotillard feels shoe-horned into the film most of the way, though she is lovely and interesting to watch.
http://moviecitynews.com/2012/07/review-ish-the-dark-knight-rises-spoiler-free/

Wayne feels he can stay hidden in his mansion, a truculent Beast resisting being transformed by Marion Cotillard’s Beauty.
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137000

As the demure Miranda Tate, Marion Cotillard exudes a sweet warmth, while Hathaway as the conniving, acidic Selina Kyle is a dangerous seductress. There's potential for an interesting dynamic between the three characters, but Nolan and co-writer Jonathan Nolan don't offer enough emotional beats to either woman's story to allow them to become compelling romantic figures. Though both actresses deliver assured performances, their characters stay symbols, never quite becoming people.
http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/...9.article?blocktitle=The-Latest&contentID=592

Thx. Kvz5? Where are you?

 

[Any Carolina]

And after collaborating with Christopher Nolan on 2010's brilliant mind trip “Inception,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard give fantastic performances – though the less said about them, the better, so as not to spoil the biggest and best surprises of the movie.
http://www.accesshollywood.com/moviemantz/the-dark-knight-rises-review-moviemantz_articletab_67256

Delighting in the impudence of Hathaway’s sexy, thieving Catwoman, the sensual elegance of Marion Cotillard’s Miranda..
http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=18849&s=Reviews

But Nolan's Inception stars Marion Cotillard (as a philanthropist) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as an idealistic cop) add considerably to a franchise that also ensures veterans Gary Oldman , Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman aren't forgotten.
http://film.list.co.uk/article/43445-the-dark-knight-rises/

 

[Batman jr.]

And after collaborating with Christopher Nolan on 2010's brilliant mind trip “Inception,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard give fantastic performances – though the less said about them, the better, so as not to spoil the biggest and best surprises of the movie.
http://www.accesshollywood.com/moviemantz/the-dark-knight-rises-review-moviemantz_articletab_67256

Delighting in the impudence of Hathaway’s sexy, thieving Catwoman, the sensual elegance of Marion Cotillard’s Miranda
http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=18849&s=Reviews

But Nolan's Inception stars Marion Cotillard (as a philanthropist) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (as an idealistic cop) add considerably to a franchise that also ensures veterans Gary Oldman , Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman aren't forgotten.
http://film.list.co.uk/article/43445-the-dark-knight-rises/

This made my day. Not that I'll judge a movie and/or a performance by reading reviews, but I knew she wasn't going to be received as badly as some expected, wrote and even hoped...

So who's awesome?

 

[kvz5]

Oh, I never doubted Marion's performance at all. The only thing that worried me based on some of the reviews was her character's underdevelopment.

 

[Any Carolina]

The critics are praising, but they always say, that not is on same level that of Ledger's performance, even when they praise individually, they talk, which is not of the magnitude of the Ledger. Well, at least, are praising.

 

[Naked Shia]

I'm tired of this "Heath Ledger as Joker was god" talk. He was great for sure. But so were Bale, Oldman and Eckhart. He didn't overshadowed them at all to me. His role was more colorful, but he was a part of an awesome ensemble cast. And while it seems it's the Bale show this time, I'm sure everybody will shine.

 

[The Joker]

Oh, I never doubted Marion's performance at all. The only thing that worried me based on some of the reviews was her character's underdevelopment.

Ditto. Marion's acting talent was never a concern. It's how effectively her character is used that is the concern.

 

[Batman jr.]

Ditto. Marion's acting talent was never a concern. It's how effectively her character is used that is the concern.

Not anymore. There are already more reviews at least not complaining about her role than the opposite.

Yes! t:

 

[Batman jr.]

The critics are praising, but they always say, that not is on same level that of Ledger's performance, even when they praise individually, they talk, which is not of the magnitude of the Ledger. Well, at least, are praising.

I agree with Leo here. Besides, she was never meant to be the main focus.

It would've been a warning to me if she'd only be in it to be his fly girl. Because no matter how good she is as an actress, that would be un-Nolanlike.

 

[The Joker]

Not anymore. There are already more reviews at least not complaining about her role than the opposite.

Yes! t:

Really where? Out of the new reviews posted above, several of them just comment on her acting.. The two that do mention the use of her character say once again she is under used and under developed. One even says she feels shoe horned in for most of it.

Are you really not seeing a trend here?

 

[Any Carolina]

This made my day. Not that I'll judge a movie and/or a performance by reading reviews, but I knew she wasn't going to be received as badly as some expected, wrote and even hoped...

So who's awesome?

All actors received, at least, a bad critique, referring to his character, but the person, decided to post only a negative critique, but the good thing is that most critics, so loved the character, as Marion.

 

[Batman jr.]

Really where? Out of the new reviews posted above, several of them just comment on her acting, not the character's use. The two that do mention the use of her character say once again she is under used and under developed.

Are you really not seeing a trend here?

There is, but even is she's underused, she'll do her best. Which is more important to me. I would've had a "problem" with her being at least as present as Catwoman, who is getting the praise Anne deserves.

 

[Batman jr.]

All actors received, at least, a bad critique, referring to his character, but the person, decided to post only a negative critique, but the good thing is that most critics, so loved the character, as Marion.

That's true, but some posters only seem to focus on the "underused" aspect. I have a feeling we'll have to discuss this...forever.

 

[Any Carolina]

I'm tired of this "Heath Ledger as Joker was god" talk. He was great for sure. But so were Bale, Oldman and Eckhart. He didn't overshadowed them at all to me. His role was more colorful, but he was a part of an awesome ensemble cast. And while it seems it's the Bale show this time, I'm sure everybody will shine.

Yes, but I'm getting bored, they can not praise without mentioning "Not so good, perfect as Ledger", the ones who are most harmed by this, is the Tom and Anne.

 

[kvz5]

I wonder what they thought of first when they decided to add her character to TDKR?

Spoiler

The Talia who goes undercover to earn Bruce's trust while betraying him and continuing her father's plan to destroy Gotham.

or

(big spoiler for those avoiding them)

Spoiler

The Talia that humanized Bane. The woman that he loved and protected/guarded.

I have a feeling that one was thought of first and the other was added to make a connection among the characters.

 

[Any Carolina]

Oh, I never doubted Marion's performance at all. The only thing that worried me based on some of the reviews was her character's underdevelopment.

I also, Marion has talent to spare. But, so far, only two critics have spoken it, but one even said that after the revelation, is compensated.

Spoiler

Miranda dies?

 

[Batman jr.]

Spoiler

Isn't she blown up by Bats?

 

[Any Carolina]

Spoiler

Isn't she blown up by Bats?

Spoiler

I read on a website, that she did not die, I'm confused, do not even know who to believe.

 

[Any Carolina]