Ágora

...and since they didn't beat each other up back then, they're still fighting to this day. The only difference is that stones and sticks are no longer in use and have been replaced by much more "advanced" weapons. That’s too bad. My hat is off to both Amenábar the screenwriter and Amenábar the director, for he has managed to put together a film in which I have nothing to fault. There is no need to think long about the relevance of his idea, nor is it necessary to consider whether Rachel Weisz is better looking or better acting (it's a tie, of course), I fell in love with Marianelli's soundtrack a long time ago... But I was absolutely stunned by how good Agora looks. The director intersperses breathtaking aerial shots of a living Alexandria with stunning space views of Earth, perhaps to suggest that someone is watching the mayhem going on below... If that's the case, I wonder if that someone is grinning in amusement or shaking his head and wrinkling his forehead in despair. (11/19/2011)

I’m satisfied. From the smart, witty story and from Amenábar's directorial concept, which does not pander to the taste of the ordinary viewer. Plus, I have a soft spot for strong female characters, which Hypatia undoubtedly was; a wise woman, eager to learn and explore, a strong and independent person. I bet it was a pleasure for Rachel Weisz to play a role like that. The clever script outlines many interesting historical aspects: the twilight of the Roman Empire, religious obscurantism, the beginnings of blood feuds between the early Christians and Jews, and also interestingly outlines contemporary thinking about our solar system – the theory of Ptolemy and the heliocentric view held by Aristarchus. Amenábar has delivered a though-provoking historical movie here. (07/20/2010)

"Agora" is a film that deceives us a little by its appearance. Alejandro Amenábar is a director from whom we expect great things. A bit of artistic films that will captivate you. "Agora" will not disappoint in this sense, because it deals with a subject matter that you won't easily see in a film. After all, there aren't that many historical films that don't revolve around heroic and beautiful characters. Moreover, when we realize that the main character is a philosopher, something will seem a bit suspicious to you. But that says a lot, it really is a philosophical film, as well as a film about philosophy. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/02/agora-2009-65.html (04/09/2013)

The course of history sometimes takes sad directions, where in certain situations we have to wait 1,200 years to rediscover things. And yet, even after so many experiences, we are not able to think better of it and learn. This is a producer suicide and one mirror elegantly set to today’s Islam on how faith, so necessary for many, can easily be swept down a path of fanaticism that knows no bounds, nor respect. (07/15/2010)

Quite possibly the best film by Alejandro Amenábar and a great serving of history from ancient Alexandria with the beautiful Rachel Weisz to boot. Very nicely shot, with some gritty scenes of people being stoned alive, nicely narrated, clearly told and rich in religion. There aren't many great historical films and I appreciate every one. Great. 85%. (11/27/2017)