Rachel Weisz' 'Agora' dignified but bland
Alejandro Amenabar's drama of ancient Egypt, "Agora," is based on the true story of Hypatia, a female scholar, philosopher and astronomer who believed in questioning everything in existence, including God.
That really ticked off some early Christians who, according to one 5th century report, "took her to the church called Caesareum where they completely stripped her, and then murdered her by scraping her skin off with tiles and bits of shell. After tearing her body in pieces, they took her mangled limbs to a place called Cinaron and there burnt them."
But don't worry. "Agora" gives Hypatia a much more dignified and immensely blander death.
That's the problem with all of "Agora."
It's more dignified and blander than it should be, especially for a movie all about political upheaval, religious zealotry, corruption and the triumph of selfish ideology over true Christian values.
Rachel Weisz plays Hypatia, one of the many ancient Egyptians who speak in impeccably British accents.
A teacher with a strong following of smart, enlightened students, Hypatia has no interest or time for frivolous romantic pursuits.
This disappoints Orestes (Oscar Isaac), one of her best students, and Davus (Max Minghella), her personal slave. Both love Hypatia, who remains as distant as the stars she examines to discover why the sun appears larger at some times of the year than others.
"Agora" has moments of high tension, even shock. (The scroll-burning Christians destroying the Library of Alexandra, the seat of all ancient knowledge, is particularly upsetting to educated viewers.)
Amenabar's drama replicates the sweep of an epic, but not the heart or soul necessary to sustain it.
So as the years fly by and the Christians take control of the world, Orestes becomes a key leader (and a convenient Christian) while the atheistic and once beloved Hypatia becomes a political liability.
And instead of bringing ancient history to vibrant life, "Agora" becomes almost as flat and passionless as a scroll, even if the movie did win seven Goya Awards, Spain's version of the Oscars.
"Agora" opens today at the Century Centre in Chicago. Not rated; contains nudity and violence. 127 minutes. ★ ★ ½