Sphinx

Sphinx isn't the greatest movie about Egypt, but it is somewhat entertaining. I'd probably buy it if it came out on DVD, but it wouldn't be my first choice. It's worth it to watch Leslie Ann Down, she's not the smartest Egyptologist, but she's still very easy on the eyes.

Badly written adaptation of a bad novel and a badly directed film that relies on exotic locations and glitzy set decoration, featuring a beautiful "Egyptologist" who has never before been to Egypt, who takes a taxi from the Nile Hilton to the Cairo Museum (next door to each other), and goes into the tomb of Tutankhamun with a Polaroid camera to "do research". (If the public does not understand why this is laughable, they deserve this film). The title "Sphinx" has nothing to do with the plot, which is loosely about the discovery of a lost tomb. Not exactly PC because all the "good" Egyptians are played by Europeans and the "bad" Egyptians are played by Egyptians. In the opening credits the cast names are spelled out in hieroglyphs, which seems to be the extent of the research wasted on this turkey.

This is probably the slowest movie I have ever seen, and that's saying a lot since I watch BBC TV on satellite. The story is confusing, the acting is poor, and the casting is unbelievable. Lesley-Anne Down is the movie's only redeeming quality, and she spoils it by having to speak that innane dialogue! I've watched worse, but I've never sat through a slower movie!

Call me a drippy romantic but Frank Langella, dancing eyes and all, is great in this movie. He captures the ideal of a darkly romantic mystery man with intelligence and humor. My only complaint is Lesley-Anne Down's shrieks--for an avowed Egyptolgist you'd think she'd be used to dark, dusty & dirty places. The plot, which causes Down to question her pride, self-esteem and morality when tempted with revealing centuries-old secrets, is straight forward and uncomplicated. The scenery of the desert, Cairo, and the pyramids is lush and lovely and the "comic relief," even though it comes with an "I just knew that would happen," twist is fun and charming. If you'd just like to watch a picturesque, romantic adventure with no socially redeeming features getting in the way, watch this.

Lesley Anne Down plays Egyptologist Erica Baron who gets more than she bargained for when she becomes involved with the plundering of Egyptian artifacts on the black market, thrown in to this mix is murder, betrayal, love, and a mummy's curse! 'Sphinx' is one of those enjoyable films which is pure hokum which makes for a passable rainy day film.

Frank Langella plays Down's mysterious love interest. John Gielgud who is credited as 'Sir' has a small role as an antique dealer, it's interesting to see John Rhys Davies in this production before he appeared in the similarly themes 'Raiders' the Egyptian locations look great as photographed by Ernest Day it's great to see this film in it's original aspect ratio, as i've seen this on television in dreadful 'pan and scan''Sphinx' would make a great 'drinking game' for instance take a drink every time Lesley Anne Down screams!