“I believe in Philosophy… All these years I’ve been studying with absolutely no life of my own and I wonder…what was the point? Is this all life holds for me…who have I ever loved?” ~ Hypatia
Agora recounts the last days of Classical Antiquity in Roman Egypt. Hypatia, the beautiful fourth century mathematician, played poignantly by Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, Beautiful Creatures) is caught in the midst of political turmoil and religious violence. A teacher of mathematics and astronomy in the library of Alexandria, Hypatia is also caught between two students who love her: Orestes, played by Oscar Isaac (Robin Hood, Balibo)a Pagan who she rejects and Davus, played by Max Minghella (The Social Network, The Darkest Hour) a Christian who is secretly in love with her. The movie highlights her struggle to save the knowledge of the ancients and her attempt to remain neutral with her students who come from all walks of life: Jewish, Christian, and Pagan. The movie also delves into heliocentric model of the universe.
After a nasty altercation between Pagan and Christian forces, the Pagans are pardoned and allowed to leave but the library and its precious contents are given over to the Christians to do with as they see fit. Sensing the destruction of many ancient scrolls, the Pagans scramble to take as much as they can carry before the mob destroys everything inside.
Fast forward a few years after the sacking of the library and some of Hypatia’s former students, now converted Christians, occupy positions of power in the new, split Roman Empire. Orestes being one of these converts, is now Prefect of Alexandria. The turbulence that was once between the Pagans and Christians how now been replaced by Jewish-Christian violence at the hands of Cyril (now known as Saint Cyril of Alexandria) played by Sami Samir (Munich, Chiapas the Heart of the Coffee). Meanwhile, Hypatia resumes teaching protected by Orestes. Unfortunately, she cannot escape the violence and attention for long and is soon captured by an angry Christian mob. Orestes, knowing Cyril is inciting violence and madness, is in a bad position because although he sees Cyril’s wrongs, he is also Christian and finds it difficult to arrest him when they share the same faith. Another former pupil, Synesius, played by Rupert Evans (World Without End, Fingersmith), is now a bishop and also attempts to save Hypatia but she refuses conversion so his hands are tied.
The acting in this movie isn’t cliche or trite but believable and compelling. Both Minghella and Weisz do fantastic jobs in this movie. Davus is torn between his faith and his love for Hypatia and Hypatia forgives him for his transgression against her and frees him as a slave. Weisz presents a sympathetic and touching portrait of Hypatia while her counterpart, Sami Samir, is excellent as the fanatical Christian leader Cyril. Evans and Isaac also give solid performances especially when they face off against each other over their concern for Hypatia and their devotion to Christianity.
This film is a pleasant departure from most Ancient period movies that rely on an abundance of sex, muscles, swords and tacky bravado. The movie isn’t as fast paced as some typical Ancient recreations but it is far from boring. The writing and dialogue are strong and the plot is interesting. I have lost interest in more violent/action oriented period films than this one. I enjoyed this film and felt it was a well done snap shot of a turbulent period in the Later Roman Empire. ~ Sandra
Peter’s Take: I enjoyed the film, but a little less than Sandra. While I was very impressed with the scenery – it made you feel like you were in Roman era city – I found the storylines at times lacklustre. The secondary story of Hypatia trying to understand the movements of the cosmos came across as too ‘educational’ and doesn’t quite fit with the dramatic events happening in Alexandria. It was hard for me toe believe that while the Library is being besieged during the early stages of the film, Hypatia and her students would have the time or inclination to discuss whether or not the Earth is moving.
The movie also has an anti-Christian viewpoint – when Christians get attacked, the scenes are underplayed, but the Christian acts of violence, such as the destruction of the library and the massacre of the Jews, gets full coverage. At the same time, the portrayal of the various Christians is awkward – they are kind of villainous, but their actions are justifiable – they get attacked by the pagans first, and then the Jews kill dozens of the Christians in their own cathedral. Meanwhile, their anger against Hypatia herself isn’t fully explained. Instead of coming across as a menace, the Christians appear more like jerks.
That said, the film has more good points than bad – it is far more intellectual than typical historical film, with Weisz doing a great performance in the lead role. It also touches on a time and place of history that we rarely get to see, and overall the film is a good reminder of how intolerance does little but leave victims and sorrow. ~ Peter
“I believe in Philosophy… All these years I’ve been studying with absolutely no life of my own and I wonder…what was the point? Is this all life holds for me…who have I ever loved?” ~ Hypatia
Agora recounts the last days of Classical Antiquity in Roman Egypt. Hypatia, the beautiful fourth century mathematician, played poignantly by Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, Beautiful Creatures) is caught in the midst of political turmoil and religious violence. A teacher of mathematics and astronomy in the library of Alexandria, Hypatia is also caught between two students who love her: Orestes, played by Oscar Isaac (Robin Hood, Balibo)a Pagan who she rejects and Davus, played by Max Minghella (The Social Network, The Darkest Hour) a Christian who is secretly in love with her. The movie highlights her struggle to save the knowledge of the ancients and her attempt to remain neutral with her students who come from all walks of life: Jewish, Christian, and Pagan. The movie also delves into heliocentric model of the universe.
After a nasty altercation between Pagan and Christian forces, the Pagans are pardoned and allowed to leave but the library and its precious contents are given over to the Christians to do with as they see fit. Sensing the destruction of many ancient scrolls, the Pagans scramble to take as much as they can carry before the mob destroys everything inside.
Fast forward a few years after the sacking of the library and some of Hypatia’s former students, now converted Christians, occupy positions of power in the new, split Roman Empire. Orestes being one of these converts, is now Prefect of Alexandria. The turbulence that was once between the Pagans and Christians how now been replaced by Jewish-Christian violence at the hands of Cyril (now known as Saint Cyril of Alexandria) played by Sami Samir (Munich, Chiapas the Heart of the Coffee). Meanwhile, Hypatia resumes teaching protected by Orestes. Unfortunately, she cannot escape the violence and attention for long and is soon captured by an angry Christian mob. Orestes, knowing Cyril is inciting violence and madness, is in a bad position because although he sees Cyril’s wrongs, he is also Christian and finds it difficult to arrest him when they share the same faith. Another former pupil, Synesius, played by Rupert Evans (World Without End, Fingersmith), is now a bishop and also attempts to save Hypatia but she refuses conversion so his hands are tied.
The acting in this movie isn’t cliche or trite but believable and compelling. Both Minghella and Weisz do fantastic jobs in this movie. Davus is torn between his faith and his love for Hypatia and Hypatia forgives him for his transgression against her and frees him as a slave. Weisz presents a sympathetic and touching portrait of Hypatia while her counterpart, Sami Samir, is excellent as the fanatical Christian leader Cyril. Evans and Isaac also give solid performances especially when they face off against each other over their concern for Hypatia and their devotion to Christianity.
This film is a pleasant departure from most Ancient period movies that rely on an abundance of sex, muscles, swords and tacky bravado. The movie isn’t as fast paced as some typical Ancient recreations but it is far from boring. The writing and dialogue are strong and the plot is interesting. I have lost interest in more violent/action oriented period films than this one. I enjoyed this film and felt it was a well done snap shot of a turbulent period in the Later Roman Empire. ~ Sandra
Peter’s Take: I enjoyed the film, but a little less than Sandra. While I was very impressed with the scenery – it made you feel like you were in Roman era city – I found the storylines at times lacklustre. The secondary story of Hypatia trying to understand the movements of the cosmos came across as too ‘educational’ and doesn’t quite fit with the dramatic events happening in Alexandria. It was hard for me toe believe that while the Library is being besieged during the early stages of the film, Hypatia and her students would have the time or inclination to discuss whether or not the Earth is moving.
The movie also has an anti-Christian viewpoint – when Christians get attacked, the scenes are underplayed, but the Christian acts of violence, such as the destruction of the library and the massacre of the Jews, gets full coverage. At the same time, the portrayal of the various Christians is awkward – they are kind of villainous, but their actions are justifiable – they get attacked by the pagans first, and then the Jews kill dozens of the Christians in their own cathedral. Meanwhile, their anger against Hypatia herself isn’t fully explained. Instead of coming across as a menace, the Christians appear more like jerks.
That said, the film has more good points than bad – it is far more intellectual than typical historical film, with Weisz doing a great performance in the lead role. It also touches on a time and place of history that we rarely get to see, and overall the film is a good reminder of how intolerance does little but leave victims and sorrow. ~ Peter
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Click here to learn more about Hypatia of Alexandria
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