Luxor

Hana is a doctor working in conflict zones. She comes to Luxor as a place that can restore and invigorate the soul. She's been there in her youth, and a chance meeting with her old flame makes her question her life choices and the possible future paths. This film is like a slow contemplative walk among the Egyptian pyramids and ruins, with Hana as a silent guide. There aren't many surprises and there aren't any ready-made answers, but I enjoyed the gentle humour and the pastel tones of this very cinematic piece. I could relate to Hana's questioning her mid-life satisfaction and searching for a way out of a hectic pace of life.

As being an Egyptian, I was curious to see this film, since it's very rare to see a foreign movie that depicts Middle East, without the usual stereotype of Arabs being terrorists or still riding camels!!! Sadly this film missed a great opportunity, to use the majestic and historical setting of Luxor to convey any meaningful story of any kind. I don't know what the filmmaker Zeina Durra had in mind when she wanted to make this film, but this is really very pointless and forgettable. Despite the beautiful scenery of Pharaonic monuments and the breathtaking nile view, there is no story. The lead actress Andrea Riseborough walks around in oversized cloth through Luxor and running into an old flame, and that's it. Also her recent films this year (The Grudge, Possessor) she's been doing the same vague and depressed person who feels lifeless and cold. Karim Saleh was okay, but since there is no story and meaningful script, his character doesn't have much to go with. All the situations taking place don't serve any purpose, and are unrelated to anything else. But I do have to say, that the director conveyed a true picture of Luxor, without any exaggeration or fake elements, except for some notes, like when the two lead characters sometimes walk into a temple, and it's like they're completely alone, usually there have to be other tourists walking around. Also when Sultan's character was talking to his Egyptian coworker, why does she speak to him in English!!! I wish this film was worthy of the place it was shot in, but sadly it failed in achieving any meaningful thing, except showing the beauty of Luxor to those who aren't familiar with it.

Did they misspell Andrea's name on the soundtrack cover?

Straight up, this film is one of the most beautifully shot and acted films you'll find. But it's not for those who have no tolerance for the "kind" of film it is. It's a stream of consciousness experience following Andrea Riseborough's character through a few days in Egypt visiting friends and working on some deep seated angst she's carrying about something in the past. It is not an adventure film or action film or even a romance film, quite frankly. The dialog is good, but sparse. As others have pointed out, Riseborough's face and body language do 90% of the acting -- and does it very well indeed. She is a remarkable actor.

My guess is that most of the negative reviews are from men, and specifically men under 50 yrs old. It's a film with a woman's sensibility imbuing it from start to finish.

I was constantly amazed and impressed with the "sense of place" the story creates from the beginning. Whether it's out on the streets or in the hotel, it feels so authentic and unhurried... like life should be.

A big thumbs up from me, though I recognize that many will (and do) find it less than satisfying due to other expectations from their entertainment.

This film is now like a national geographic show. It showcases Egyptian history, but there's no plot. The two leads are wooden and have no chemistry at all. I found it very boring.