A Magnificent Waste of History

Rating: 7/10 (14 March 2006)

"Alexander" is no easy film to analyze, for it have many clashing elements. Stone wanted to film something about Alexander, yet he had no idea what he wanted to communicate.
Examples. Old Ptolemy (Hopkins) begins the movie rather well, using proved narration skills to present the politico-geographical situation of the time (with a contemporary map) for the average viewer's benefit, yet the sequences with Alexander himself were more about his sentimental life, personal relations and superficially explored philosophy about establishing "civilized" hegemony. No history, no politics there, no word on his handling of the conquest itself. As if the scenes with Hopkins were done as an afterthought to cement the rest.
Another one; In such a life rich with strategical genius, Stone chose to show only two battles, barely referring to some other ones. But the battles themselves were magnificent, having the scope of LOTR's mass scenes, coupled with grim, historic realities. He demonstrate that battles quickly becomes a form of restrained chaos, yet he is able to show strategy; You can follow Alexander's companions running for the breach in Darius' army as they race to catch with their own wing by looking on their faces. I don't remember a battle filmed as efficiently, as intensely (don't under-estimate Vangelis' score for that, neither). But the viewer will have to content for only two of these, Gaugamela and the Hydaspes River. The rest of the movie is largely devoted to boudoir scenes.
The acting is admittedly a bit of a problem; I felt no respect for Philip of Macedonia, camped as a bumbling drunk with no principles. Jolie definitively had an annoying accent. And overall, Farrel, a good actor by all means, was definitely too small for the role, being far to emotional and whiny to portrait the leader Alexander must have been. However, supporting actors such as Gary Stretch (as Cleitus the Black), Rosario Dawson (divine as Roxanne) and Jared Leto (in the difficult role of Hephaisdion) light up the screen.
On this subject, The bi-sexuality aspect was well-handled. maybe a bit over-focused, thought. It does show that this was not the taboo it still is today.
But the thing that got me into this film was its magnificence. To enter Babylon, to see its suspended gardens. To live the Hydaspes River battle through the feverish, delirious eye of the wounded, the costumes, the makeup (the Persian warriors did have an over-developed sense of cosmetics) really are eye candy; We have no problem at all being transported back to these epic times.
In conclusion, this is one of the best Antic history movie filmed these days, mainly because both silly "Gladiator" and over-indulgent "Troy" did not set the bar too high. This film is infinitely superior.
It just lack a bit of focus.