Now in these desperate times i would all to happily skip Agora. A movie which involves the rivalry of two religions with an added amount of philosphy. On paper that sounds like a remedy to put me to sleep but this movie fanatic doesn't give up on films no matter how different or subsequnety boring they may be. The main reasson this film turn me off before i even decided to see it was a huge religious theme. Now i won't be discrimitive to other peoples religions but to me a movie that is trying to move me or even possibly change my own ideas usin religion won't work as my view stands. It's all been bollocks form day one.
But our main character Hypatia is a non beliver (refreshing) and her only worship is philosphy. By the end of the movie you may not be able to sum up the film, but for me this was an often exciting film and one that was not very moving but was fascinating and tense which is hard for me come to grips with as well as i said to me most of it's doomed idea.
Agora centeres around the character of Hypatia (Rachel Wiesz) a philospher whos only dream is to understand the planet and all her galaxies but there is war interuppting her studies A war between christians and her peoles reliion forcing them to convert to christianity. The movie then turns to a more pressing matter a love triangle, a student of Hypatias has giving his heart ot her and a slave turned warrior has a similar feeling. It's only when we learn of the true intensions of the people that we learn the fait of Hypatia.
What was surprising to me about Agora was how immersed i was in the story and how fascinated i was by the rivalrys between rival religions, Hypatia love intrests and friendships and in the end how exciting the movie turned out to be. From the grand scope of things the film has an impressive eye for detail not leaving out any historical fact unnoticed. Also a winning performance by Rachel Wiesz helped the film sometimes get through some often dragged out areas as she was always the character that i felt for (especially at the end) and was intrigued to know about her. At this moment i wish she was my teacher.
The movie is far from being the historical sand epic it wants to be. From the heavy handed message about the practises of god and to the dialogue for that matter it all feel more than a little bit forced. There has also been a problem for me, not just with this film but with alot of films that alot of the actors look out of place and over play the parts tothe max. Take oscar issacs character. When he declares his love for Hypatia you will won't to look away form the screen to just stop yourself induring the embaressment. By the end the film had lost me with it's interweving storylines of love, religion and philosphy but i can over look all of that as Hypatia, the heart and point of the film is at the center of film and if you have been reading you know that she is the best part.
Somw will take Agora for what it is, a sand and sword epc with religious morals. Thats what it is. Some will over complicate the film calling it genius and a tiumph. That it is not. and others will take it as nothing and be bored ( thers always iron man 2). Agora shouls read on it's poster, live action history lesson but one that is fascinating and exciting with battle scens included. Now thats what Agora is.
3.5/5
