The 'bust' of Alexander

Rating: 4/10 (9 August 2005)

Having read a great deal of literature over the years, I've developed a feeling that, because of their suffering throughout the ages, God mercifully bestowed the gift of great literature and theater upon the Irish.
This will be obvious in Alexander, for although this takes place in ancient Greece, on would think that, by the overwhelming wonderful Irish accents, the cast had rehearsed for Beckett's "Waiting for Godot".
Kilmer and Jolie were excellent as Philip and Olympias, respectively, although I don't know why they had the wonderfully beautiful Jolie speak with a Hollywood type of Russian accent,that was reminiscent of Natasha, of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame.
As for Alexander, well, he sure did remind me of those ancient 'busts' but was far from inspirational. Actually he reminded me of Mel Gibson, who would have made a splendid Alexander.
Mr Stone would have done better to have focused on a particular incident or two to capture Alexander. Perhaps the two brilliant victories engineered by 'ATG' against Darius, against a vastly superior Presian force.
One last note. Angelina Jolie should make a pilgrimage to Greece to thank the all the ancient gods that Olympias never met her daughter-in-law, Roxan, face to face. Rosario Dawson certainly would have 'drawn attention' from Jolie's center stage performance, if that had to be written into the script.
All-in-all, I preferred the history channel documentary to this choppy epic.