Review of The Stoning of Soraya M. (2009) by Thomas W — 12 Mar 2010
A riveting, true story is brought to life in The Stoning of Soraya M. And it is about exactly what the title suggests -- a woman being stoned. Shohreh Aghdashloo is the film's main character, Zahra, who conveys the story of her niece, Soraya (Mozhan Marno), to a journalist who happens to be passing through town.
Soraya is assigned to work in the house of a middle-aged widower by a group of men (led by her husband who wants to take a second wife but cannot afford to support one although he can afford to buy the nicest car in the village).
Her husband wants to rid himself of his wife, and so he sets her up as an adulteress and convinces all of the men in town that she is guilty. Falsely accused but noble, Soraya is half-buried in the earth to await the stoning .
.. The film has numerous flaws but they seem trivial to complain about when reviewing a movie about such harrowing human horrors. "The blood stains on Soraya's dress do not remain consistent" etc.
This film is eye-opening and gut-wrenching. Aghdashloo was robbed of an Academy Award a few years back and she is very good here; but I think the film is too small to garner her a second nomination. Brutal and true .
.. The Stoning of Soraya M. is a stark cinematic jewel.
This review of The Stoning of Soraya M. (2009) was written by Thomas W on 12 Mar 2010.
The Stoning of Soraya M. has generally received very positive reviews.
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