'Carmen' Review Roundup: Updates Lose Heat, Passion and Authenticity

Benjamin Millepied's film adaptation of "Carmen" features dance and cinematography but stilted writing and characters.
Paul Mescal and Melissa Barrera star in a contemporary North American retelling that lacks grasp of border identities.
The flamenco-infused dance sequences function as isolated setpieces rather than driving the narrative.
The sparse screenplay and lack of authenticity undermine intensity and passion of classic tragedy.
Memorable soundtrack matches melodrama of inconsistent, haphazard story.