Luxor

I am always excited to see a film set in Luxor, and there were some beautiful shots and nice moments. I have to say, I agree with most of the reviews on here. This is a film where nothing happens. I've been watching a lot of Egyptian cinema, and this film is very un-Egyptian in that there is no passion, no intensity, no chemistry, no sizzle. I know this is the way the director wanted it to be. But for me it was disappointing. To say it is understated is- an understatement. We want to know the story between the lovers, what happened - we are never told it. Did they just give up on their love? When they meet again, where is the passion? Where is the feeling? Andrea Riseborough is playing the role of someone badly traumatised, and she plays it well. But Karim Saleh just seems smooth and American, I don't see the Egyptian character in him at all... not my experience of Egypt. A couple of things that really annoyed me: we are told, its pronounced Abide-os. NO! Its A-bid-os. How could they do that? And they neglect to mention its the place of Osiris. We don't hear the old lady's reading, which makes it seem as though traditional healers (of which there are many) are a waste of time. Not very respectful... I love all things Egyptian, but this is not it. These people seem cold, aloof, English and restrained. I found it quite frustrating.

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.

Set in the ancient Egyptian city, Luxor is almost portrayed as a silent documentary. Director Zeina Durra constantly has the camera leading or following. Down tight Egyptian streets. Through majestic ruins. Ahead of Hana, who is endlessly wandering; her thoughts leagues before her. Luxor is a contemplative movie, and Durra's slow pacing accentuates that study.

To the movie's benefit, Durra beautifully displays the archeological wonders of the city. From the Temples of Karnak and Luxor itself, to the Winter Palace hotel, Durra showcases a part of the world that thanks to COVID and the outgoing Presidency's relationship with Arab affairs, remains an unvisited destination to many Americans. However, even Rick Steve's tourism videos jump to a snappier beat.

Hana is a British aid worker returning to Luxor on holiday. Scarred from scenes of an unmentioned battlefront, Hana wanders the quiet city alone until she runs into Sultan, an archaeologist and former lover. Sultan is totally Indiana Jones looking to rekindle that affair with the feisty Marion. Hana would rather play the hard-to-get Willie and has no time for love, Dr. Jones. She is shellshock and is hoping the mystery of the ancient world resets her ability to again see hope.

Luxor is 90 minutes of Hana walking, wondering, wanting. Durra slowly provides details to Hana's life, but those little points become lost in the stagnant plot while the biggest mystery remains unanswered. If Hana so desperately wishes to move beyond her former life, why return to the city where she knows her former boyfriend works? Lots of wonderful ruins in Ireland that are aching to be visited.

Luxor is not meant to be a riotous rom com, but perhaps it should have been. The slow, piercing character study of a film is a worthy genre, yet Hana's story has no true resolution. Her solemn attitude is frustrating as she cannot decipher the beauty that is all around her. What could have been a majestic tragedy is instead as dry and dusty as a desert road.

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.

1) I get that Andrea Riseborough has turned half dead over the past couple of years and gained immense sadness in her eyes. Watch her in "Disconnect" from 2013/14 and then in her recent major roles in "Zerozerozero"/"Possessor" or this one. There is a strong effort to suppress her natural beauty, and it seems more like her own choice. Anyway, she's carrying that depressed torch with a unique lifeless energy.

2) I was compelled to watch this (IMDb 5.3) to see if it really was worthless. My verdict is that it's definitely not. Its not for everyone but shares nothing with a typical Hollywood film set in the Mediterranean. Some of us long for films that have scanty plot twists and since I find the actress worthy her salt and not unlikable (which can be a task these days).

3) This film albeit slowly prodding without any substantial revelation, doesn't attempt any preachy sermons or any life changing epiphanies. The film is flat, just like life may seem when you're in a rut (which our emaciated lead is in).