My Favorite Dramas

Let me just say that you cannot watch this movie once. There is so much detail and spoken dialogue to absorb that it takes 2 or more viewings to catch everything. This is of course if you don't have a brilliant mind at paying complete attention to everything that goes and is said on screen. I tip my cap to those who can.

The movie was throught-provoking, intense, very edge-of-your-seat and even disturbing to watch at times. This especially during a torture sceen that made me cringe in my seat. It plays itself as an educational tool as well, selling the audience information on the workings and dynamics that are involved in the oil industry. As a political science major, I found a deep appreciation to the film because of this. JoBlo said it best in his review that it would really help the viewer if he/she had a PoliSci major with them as a reference tool. Just make sure that you ask your questions AFTER the movie is done, because it's not nice to be rude you know!

The movie worked very well in telling four distinct, yet intertwined story lines that made you feel for the characters in each one. It showed how the oil industry affects people's lives in more ways than you thought, and how far companies, executives, governments and business men are willing to sacrifice in order to "get the deal".

One of my favorite performances in the movie came from the emir Nasir (played by Alexander Siddig). The character was brilliant and Siddig captured that role perfectly as a prince who only wants what's best for his people, but without having to sacrifice anything.

I never lost interest at any point in the movie. And because it turned out so well for me watching it, it has become one of my favorite movies of all time.