Back, and to the left

Filmbrain is having a difficult time understanding the overwhelming negative response to Oliver Stone's Alexander. Though an admitted Stone apologist, he genuinely found the three-hour epic extremely entertaining, and far better than other recent sword-and-sandal ventures. Sure, the casting is a bit odd, but the resulting performances are far better than expected. Filmbrain paid close attention to the screenplay which, while perhaps a bit purple at times, was not as puerile as others have claimed. Still, Ptolemy's (Anthony Hopkins) "Alexander was never defeated, except by Hephaistion's thighs" is a bit cringe inducing. The politics of the film are quite interesting. Several right-wing journalists have accused Stone of hypocrisy -- if Alexander's invasion of the Middle East was justified, why not Bush's? This argument is not even worthy of discussion, but the film goes on to show how Alexander was (to some) a benevolent despot who was quite generous in his victories. However, like Bush, he suffers from not having a well thought-out exit strategy. (Perhaps Stone's decision to portray Alexander as a confused bisexual was a way of ensuring the right didn't embrace him as one of their own.) Those who accuse Stone of turning the film into a leftist polemic due to its openly gay themes need to relax a bit. Even the posse of Greek lawyers has dropped their case against the film. Alexander is not one of the year's greatest films, and maybe not much more than a guilty pleasure, but the combination of giant film + giant theater + giant popcorn on a rainy Monday resulted in a rewarding movie going experience. Even the hodgepodge of odd accents and occasional scenery chewing didn't take away from this cinematic delight. Oh -- an aside to the fellow film patron who seemed to be enjoying himself a bit too much during Rosario Dawson's nude scene -- next time, wait for the DVD, ok?)

Comments

[phyrephox]

There are giant theatres left in Manhattan? Where?

p.s. this film was "teh suck," as they say.

[Filmbrain]

Well -- fair enough, it wasn't the Zigfield, but the large theater in the E-Walk on 42nd St. is pretty large, especially when there are only about 8 people in it.

I disagree with your take on the conflict with Olympias (from your Milk Plus review). There are a million angles in which to approach Alexander the Great -- why not a simple Freudian mother-son tale? Even in Stone's Nixon he traced a lot of Nixon's character quirks to his home life.

At least admit that it's a far better film than the positively dreadful (and ridiculous) Troy.

[feint]

can you remember what the guy who played young ptolemy was like? he was a couple of years above me at uni and everyone thought he was a great actor but i haven't had a chance to see the film yet.

[Aaron H.]

Your titles are hilarious, by the way. My favorite so far was "Driving. Miss Daisy."

[Filmbrain]

The young Ptolemy didn't really have that much to do. He mostly just stood around looking troubled at many of Alexander's decisions. I cant even recall if he has any extended dialog.