Agora

Alejandro Amenábar's Agora is a throwback to Hollywood's old Greco-Roman epics, but with a major difference: here the Christians are the persecutors, not the victims. In its depiction of the blind dogmatism of early believers, the film reminds us of modern religious intolerance, especially with its focus on the oppression of women. The setting is 4th-century Alexandria, Egypt, where brilliant real-life astronomer (and atheist) Hypatia (Rachel Weisz) teaches at the city's great library, run by her father Theon (Michael Lonsdale). Among her adoring pupils are the shy Synesius (Rupert Evans), the more forthcoming Orestes (Oscar Isaac), and Hypatia's slave, Davus (Max Minghella). Synesius eventually becomes a bishop who encourages his followers to attack the pagans and Jews and compel them to accept baptism. Now a Roman prefect, Orestes leads the ineffectual resistance, but Hypatia emerges as Synesius's real rival, representing the power of reason and scientific inquiry in the fight against fanaticism. Despite the scattering of violent scenes and romantic subplots, Agora ultimately comes across as both talky and oddly stilted, dragged down by Amenábar's pedantic, arty approach. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Alejandro Amenabar, a “Journey to Alexandria” making-of documentary (63 min.), deleted scenes (11 min.), a brief intro by Amenabar, production and costume design storyboards, and a photo gallery. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a disappointing film.] (F. Swietek)