Agora

Du point de vue des costumes et de la narration, il n’y a rien à redire. Par contre, niveau contenu, ça tire en longueur. Seuls les plus mordus s’enthousiasmeront à la vue de Rachel Weisz philosophant avec enthousiasme sur l’univers, qu’ils soient fans de l’actrice ou astronomes, physiciens ou scientifiques d’une autre spécialité. Les scènes palpitantes alternent avec d’autres, vides et ennuyeuses. Je dois d’ailleurs ajouter que je ne suis pas très au fait de cette partie de l’Histoire, donc j’ai eu du mal, presque jusqu’à la fin, à comprendre qui était avec qui et pour quelle cause on se battait ! :-) (28/08/2010)

A beautiful historical film set in late antiquity Alexandria, featuring my beloved Rachel Weisz. The quality was a very pleasant surprise and the courage to show certain things full-on was also a shock. The world is still full of lunatics and if I were the godless Amenábar, I’d watch out very carefully for any stone flying in my direction. (22/02/2010)

The course of history sometimes takes sad directions, where in certain situations we have to wait 1,200 years to rediscover things. And yet, even after so many experiences, we are not able to think better of it and learn. This is a producer suicide and one mirror elegantly set to today’s Islam on how faith, so necessary for many, can easily be swept down a path of fanaticism that knows no bounds, nor respect. (15/07/2010)

I’m satisfied. From the smart, witty story and from Amenábar's directorial concept, which does not pander to the taste of the ordinary viewer. Plus, I have a soft spot for strong female characters, which Hypatia undoubtedly was; a wise woman, eager to learn and explore, a strong and independent person. I bet it was a pleasure for Rachel Weisz to play a role like that. The clever script outlines many interesting historical aspects: the twilight of the Roman Empire, religious obscurantism, the beginnings of blood feuds between the early Christians and Jews, and also interestingly outlines contemporary thinking about our solar system – the theory of Ptolemy and the heliocentric view held by Aristarchus. Amenábar has delivered a though-provoking historical movie here. (20/07/2010)

Agora is an important film, offering a powerful look at the early days of Christianity—how it started, the waves it created, and who sparked its spread in Rome. Visually, it's stunning and does justice to one of history’s most influential religions. The set design alone could double as a museum for Hollywood—a cultural experience in itself (even if it’s 99% CGI). I found myself zoning out at a few points, which kept me from giving it a perfect score. (14/08/2010)