Review of Agora (2009) by Lorenzo V — 26 Jul 2010

"If I could just unravel this just a little bit more, and just get a little closer to the answer, then... Then I would go to my grave a happy woman.".

A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria.

REVIEW.

Hypatia's patient and reasoned approach to questioning Copernicus' belief that the circle was supremely perfect, is thrown throughout the film into stark contrast with the Christians' ever growing stranglehold on silencing anyone whose ideas conflict with their own by whatever convenient argument suits them. Several times throughout the drama Hypatia mentions the sacrifices her devotion to science has led her to make. How her two male suitors are constrained by this introduces elements of a compelling (and possibly unique) variation on the theme of a triangular love relationship. Rachel Weisz's performance gives Hypatia's character a distinctly endearing charm, from her excitement while seeking answers to the philosophical questions of the day to her dignified reaction to the rising tide of ignorance and religious intolerance. All other supporting character parts are equally well performed and the direction struck me as being sincere in its motives and honest in its portrayal of the issues.