Luxor

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nice cinematography, simple script and huge hidden feelings. Love The vintage of everything in Luxor . Like that chemistry between Hannah and Sultan and let's talk about dancing scene absolutely reversing how much this girl suffering and liked to be itself. Great film to be watched.