Don't expire before you see this movie. It has consumed me almost to addiction. Perfect. A movie with a simple theme, gentle pace, exquisite score and a panoramic look at Cairo and modern, Egyptian life. A middle class, white, Canadian woman, Juliette, (Patricia Clarkson), arrives in Cairo to meet and vacation with her husband who works with the U.N. in Gaza. He is unfortunately delayed so his ex security officer, Tariq, (Andrew Siddick), steps in to meet and greet and briefly host "Miss Juliette". A woman of a certain age, Juliette has complete balance in her life. Happy marriage, children that have just left home, a great and fast paced career as a women's magazine editor. Juliette is a person we all wish we could be. Kind, gentle, thoughtful, intelligent, measured pace in diction and poise. But, she is now on Cairo Time. With chronic jet lag and out of time with the slower paced Egyptians, she meanders through boredom and missteps. Soon to be rescued by Tariq, they start an awkward friendship; privileged, North American, white woman contrasted with the machismo of an Arab male. Though educated and sophisticated, Tariq is stoic about the plight of Muslin women, poor street children etc., unlike Juliette who constantly and indiscreetly remarks. The friendship grows to love which is refreshingly illustrated through pause, gaze, contemplation and gentle teasing. A love that has no practical future. If you did not previously pay attention to Patricia Clarkson, she will end up being your favorite actress. Her performance is mesmerizing. A movie stunning to watch for both it's street and desert scenes, a score, including original Arab music, so haunting it steals your heart. Ruba Nadda's critical love fest with the land of her heritage. Bliss.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Titanic II
(2010 Video)
Possibly the worst movie every made ...
29 August 2010
Be warned that this is probably the worst movie ever made. At least it gave a good actor, Bruce Davison, employment. Nice concept, but so poorly made that you understand immediately that the makers knew zero about the 1912 Titanic and cared even less. With an obvious low budget, the movie made use of the 1930's Queen Mary permanently moored at Long Beach, CA. But, 1912 maritime design is very different from 1930s maritime design as was White Star Line, (Titanic), to Cunard Line, (Queen Mary). Shots included the sea wall enclosing the Queen Mary, rust on the railings of this "brand new Titanic II", and red funnels when the original Titanic had yellow funnels, (which they corrected within the movie and then went back to red funnels). Some scenes showed the ship with three funnels, some scenes she had four funnels. One of the best, laughable scenes was the cast running down into the "engine room" with concrete walls!!!? The Titanic II sailed with the name emblazoned on it's bow, then the name was gone, then it was back again? Where were the continuity people? Or could they not afford to employ them. The score even had slight reminisces of the movie Titanic's score in a shameful attempt to piggy-back on the success of the James Cameron movie. Gives new meaning to unoriginal and predictable. Do yourself a favor. Skip this movie. It's not even good trash.
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