Alexander Review
by Bob Bloom (bob AT bloomink DOT com)November 30th, 2004
ALEXANDER (2004): 2 stars out of 4. Starring Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins, Jared Leto, Rosario Dawson and Christopher Plummer. Music by Vangelis. Screenplay by Oliver Stone, Christopher Kyle and Laeta Kalogridis. Directed by Oliver Stone. Rated R. Running time: Approx. 180 mins.
Oliver Stone's Alexander is overproduced, overwrought — and overwhelming.
Running about three hours, Stone seems to ignore some of the most notable achievements that made Alexander great, to concentrate on plots better suited for Desperate Housewives.
Will Alexander find true love with the man of his dreams? Will his "barbarian" wife bear him a son and heir? Will he ever allow his ever-restless troops to return to Macedonia? And will he manage to keep those blonde, curly locks out of his eyes?
Stone has burdened Alexander with a lot of issues. Perhaps, a couple of sessions with Dr. Phil would have helped before he set out to conquer the known world.
His mother smothers him with her crazed clichés, such as "A king must know how to hurt the ones they love" and "All greatness comes from pain."
Heck, I feel gypped. My mom only told me to brush after every meal and look both ways before I crossed the street.
Alex's dad, Philip of Macedonia, has no respect for his stepson, believing him soft and not kingly material.
Of course, after pop is assassinated Alexander, at 20, becomes king and begins his reign of conquest.
One annoying device is the telling rather than the showing of several historical events and battles. Anthony Hopkins as an elderly Ptolemy serves as the narrator, telling Alexander's story in flashback.
The battle scenes are massive and brutal, but edited in that quick-cut style that only allows you glimpses of action and makes it difficult to recognize friend from foe.
The set design and production values are impressive, especially the recreation of the ancient city of Babylon.
And while the movie looks pretty, it sounds silly, especially when Macedonian soldiers speak with brogues, sounding as if they just had a pint at the pub.
As written by Stone, Christopher Kyle and Laeta Kalogridis, Greek men are racist misogynists who consider other cultures barbaric and who would rather carouse with their friends or young boys instead of spending quality time with their wives and families.
The main theme of Alexander seems to be the son fulfilling and living up to the expectations of the father. Yet, the waters are muddied by so many psychological side trips that the movie's prime motivation becomes lost at times.
As Alexander, Colin Farrell gives a valiant performance. He exudes the required sensuality and enough effeminate qualities to attract men as well as women.
Yet he also has the ability to transform into a fierce warrior. He is undermined, though, by the clunky script that has him mostly shouting or whining.
The main purpose for Jared Leto as Hephaistion, Alexander's love interest, is to moon over his lord and master and be by his side in battle.
Angelina Jolie has the showiest role as the young king's mother, a woman consumed by venom and spite.
The sad thing about Alexander is that, despite its marathon running time, you learn so little about him and his accomplishments. Stone hasn't given us Alexander the Great, but Alexander the Average.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or at [email protected].
Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal and Courier Web site: www.jconline.com
Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com or at the Internet Movie Database Web site:
www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
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