Remember when a few months ago I ranted a bit about how movies about female historic characters put these women's love lives in the centre and treated whatever they were actually famous for - art, fashion, aviation, politics, etc. - as an addendum? Well, good news. Agora, which incidentally I would called Alexandria - it brings that ancient metropolis to glorious visual and character life like no other film or tv show I've ever seen - but which does focus on the philosopher Hypatia, does not do that. I had both hopes and fears for this film based on the trailer; the hopes were fulfilled, the fears proved unfounded, and the overall result is fantastic. And very refreshing, though I doubt the film will be a hit precisely because of all the avoided clichés. It deserves to be, though.

( I question all my beliefs; you are not allowed to question yours )