A stunning work on a difficult subject

Rating: 10/10 (8 January 2005)

Despite the huge budget and tremendous scope of Oliver Stone's labour of love, he has crafted a film that will be of interest only to a specific audience. There is a stubborn passion for his subject that precludes an audience unwilling to share it.
The wonderful film-making quote "a hundred patrons will see the same film a hundred different ways" is particularly pertinent here, as out of those hundred, I suspect only a handful will see 'Alexander' close to the way the director intended. Put simply, it's a historical figure brought to life as accurately as dramatisation allows, and those who don't care to spend time with Stone's deeply flawed, legendary conquerer, or wish to consider the (un-Hollywood) nature of what made him 'Great', are likely to be bored for three interminable hours.
I found the movie to be wholly engaging. Incredible battles aside (of which there are two: visceral and brutal), the performances of Angelina Jolie and Val Kilmer are larger-than-life and memorable, the narration by Anthony Hopkins (as Ptolemy) compelling and the visuals nothing short of stunning. I would say one has to be interested in the subject beforehand to properly enjoy Stone's interpretation, but as a screenplay it is both penetrating and eloquent.
And lastly, Colin Farrell as 'Alexander' puts every last ounce of passion and skill into his portrayal. Despite what many have said, he is to my mind the only actor of his age possessing the mercurial quality required to play a man of such extreme contradictions. He is terrific in a phenomenally difficult role.
The makers of this film should be proud. At a time in which people seem to have declared the end of the 'historical epic' cycle, what a shame that America's maverick has suffered the backlash of modern critics' obsession with the here and now. As if a depiction of ancient times needs first to be processed through our trite and brittle sensibilities.
"Fortune favous the bold." 'Alexander' is the cruel exception. *****