Review of One Night with the King (2006) by John B — 03 Jan 2008

Part of me didn't want to see this film. I think on one hand, the cast was great (I wish they would have given Peter Otoole more face time) but on the other hand, I had issues with the characterization of Xerxes.

The person they cast for him just didn't strike me as the guy. Honestly, he seemed like the "perfect" guy around Esther. Same with how they portrayed the selection process. Yes, I know why they didn't go there, but still.

Personally, I wonder if it was a ratings issue, but whatever. All in all, I feel that the film didn't take enough risks and played a little too conservative. Granted, the opening of the film was great and that plotline intrigued me, But Xerxes was a loose cannon.

And I felt that we really didn't see that in this film. Heck, Xerxes was frankly wussy. And it drove me nuts. I also felt Mordecai was a bit too passive. I know Davies is a better actor than the material called for.

Esther was a good cast choice. I really struggled with the rating, but this feels about right. Not terrible, but not great. There's so much more that could have been done. It's a film that couldn't make up its mind what it wanted to be.

.. chick flick or historical epic?