Avoid like the Black Plague!

Rating: Null/10 (29 November 2004)

Just when I thought nothing could be worse than TROY!
Oliver Stone has unfortunately lost touch with more than his usually strong ability of narration; he has completely lost touch with history. Alexander was also one of the most influential military minds ever. Not only was he an excellent and skilled commander, but the young conqueror was a masterful orator, politician and social reformist - all aspects eclipsed by his sexuality. Stone instead of focusing on the mind that was trained by the likes of Aristotle concentrated his movie on Alexander's love of men. This didn't bother me, I've studied enough of history to realize that Alexander wasn't bisexual, he was flat out gay! (Granted he had relations with women to procure sons, but that did not make him heterosexual, he was not attracted to women.) What's more important is that it didn't bother anyone of his time either! Aristotle, and popular culture of the time, asserted that the highest relationship was that between two men, an assumption that we still have to this day in literature.
What upset me is that the most brilliant military mind of Greek culture (and possibly of all time) was ignored so Stone could shine light on a fact that most people knew about anyway. It was no surprise to America to learn that Alexander was homosexual. Anyone who's studied even a little Greek history is well acquainted with the fact that homosexual relationships were idealized in their art, literature, mythology and society. Hell, you don't even have to go to college to know that, just watch the history channel.
What bothers me is that Stone used the homosexuality as a taboo for Alexander when, in fact, it was not taboo at all. His men engaged in homosexual acts with each other, with slaves, with whatever they wished, they would not have been bothered by Alexander for doing the same. It was the fact that Alexander was a social reformer that bothered them. Stone touched on this, but not to an extent that it even scrapped past the homosexual references that never ceased. Alexander conquered lands to create an empire, he knew that to keep the people from revolting he would have to be a new kind of leader and he practically invented social reform and mass education. Both of these aspects were boiled down to one scene in the film.
Stone was very heavy handed with the Oedipus complex, even mentioning him in the film, and painting him on the wall. (Do all film makers have to assume that their audience is really this stupid? I thought it was just Spielberg!) Stone had little faith that his audience would pick up on the sexual tension between mother and son that yes, existed in real life. Olympius is not up for mother of the year, however it was a very different time and she well understood that she would pay with her life should she outlive Alexander, and she did. However, the most upsetting scene (or disquieting really) is where the young Alexander displays an Electra complex (for lack of a better term!) for his father. Alexander has, quite literally a love/hate relationship with both parent.
As for acting, Colin Farrell seemed asleep in most of his scenes and the supporting cast picked up on it, not acting too loud lest they wake him. Jolie was ridiculous and ill used in this role, half the time she looked lost in her part and confused as to her semi-obsessive, semi-sexual love affair with his toddler son.
The only truly interesting aspect of this movie is the insight it gives us to Greek culture as well as our own, and the idealized relationships men can have with other men only. Much like Aristotle preached to the young Alexander the most noble love of all is that between two men, in which no women (the corrupting factor in all art and literature) can penetrate. Alexander idealized Achilles for his love and devotion to another man, while our society idealizes Achilles' strength and quietly brushes the sexuality under the rug. However, this idea of men leaving the society of women to bond with other men is just as prevalent in our literature as seen in Huck Finn (Come Back to the Raft, Huck Honey) and Moby Dick.
Please do not confuse this movie with some art-house piece. This movie is no more artfully crafted than bad porn, which it emulates at its low moments (I cite the orgy in which Phillip rapes a young man). This movie is confused and has little direction and was pretty obviously thrown together without much thought for narration and plot, I cite the many flashbacks and flash forwards and flashsideways!
Meanwhile, the man Alexander is lost to our society which views his life now as some debauched orgy and war lust fetish. This movie should have starred Caligula, not Alexander! I'd suggest reading a book, and saving your money for something good.
Long story short - skip the movie, watch the history channel!