Review of Agora (2009) by Ryan B — 01 Dec 2010

The subtle beauty in which "Agora" takes on organized religion/the struggle of those with power to consistently maneuver to retain power while blending the expanse of secular philosophical wonderment is at times imppossible to take ones eyes off of. That and it has the celestial Rachel Weisz.

Ultimately, the pluses outweigh the negatives: The constant reminder in which human beings pretend that lives are worth losing over transient/innocuous differences, how philosophy is a process, based on the work of others as well as rigorous trial and error; not a tangible "test" with immediate results, and the absence of romance (which would only weaken Hypatia the character in regards to passion for knowledge).

The minuses? Sporadically mucky dialogue, suspect set-construction/wardrobe, and a few key characters who are introduced too late or who are underdeveloped and misused.

For any viewer willing to branch off from the tired "Hollywood" style romantic period piece where everyone in a toga looks like Achilles on Human Growth Hormone, and makes you take a look at how insgnificant the trivalities of humans is on a cosmic level, this film is a win, just pardon the occasional pretense.