Has anyone else seen
Agora, a film about Hypatia, the 4th century female philosopher and astronomer in Alexandria? Directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring Rachel Weisz, it has been in a few UK cinemas for a couple of months, having been critically acclaimed at the Cannes film festival . I finally managed to see it tonight, and it was a treat. As with any film, there were imperfections with the plot and characterisation, but I was immersed for the entire two hours. It is such a pleasure to watch an historical epic which does not rely on CGI spectacle - although the reconstructions of Alexandria and the shots of the earth are stunning - but depends on real drama and ideas for its success. I am pleasantly surprised that it received a relatively mainstream release, rather than a limited arthouse one, and it was a delight to see an absorbing drama. It is a film which (as one reviewer put it)
engages because it is actually about something; even in the clunkiest moments, Amenábar is wrestling with compelling questions and ideas
Enough gushing from me - but do go and see it and make up your own mind! I would be interested to hear the views of others.
by Polynikes » Wed Jun 02, 2010 4:36 pm 
.
