Agora (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Cynthia S

  
  Historically based movie...portraying one of the last of the great philosophers holding on to her world before the new Christians plunged it into the Dark Ages, and destroying the great philosophical and scientific works of the time. Their religion was as devoid of love, compassion… More
  Historically based movie...portraying one of the last of the great philosophers holding on to her world before the new Christians plunged it into the Dark Ages, and destroying the great philosophical and scientific works of the time. Their religion was as devoid of love, compassion and empathy as any before, or after them. When religion takes hold, out the window goes reason, science and tolerance. .

• Bruce B

  
  This is an outstanding film, my only question is what is fact and what is fiction, it seems to be a movie to show the negative side of both the Jewish religion and Christianity. The story is consist of a slave and his devotion for his Lady, Hypatia. Costumes were outstanding, and a… More
  This is an outstanding film, my only question is what is fact and what is fiction, it seems to be a movie to show the negative side of both the Jewish religion and Christianity. The story is consist of a slave and his devotion for his Lady, Hypatia. Costumes were outstanding, and a huge cast to make you feel as though you were back in the 4th century. All in all still worth 5 Stars.

• Raymond W

  
  Neither Rachel Weisz's gripping performance, the impressive sets, the beautiful cinematography, nor the interesting subject matter can entirely save Agora. It is tainted by a poor script, slow pacing and mediocre acting from supporting roles.

• Jim H

  
  Set after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman empire, Christians and pagans battle for cultural supremacy. There are some fascinating aspects about <i>Agora</i> including the equal (or at least almost equal) brutality with which Christians and pagans… More
  Set after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman empire, Christians and pagans battle for cultural supremacy. There are some fascinating aspects about <i>Agora</i> including the equal (or at least almost equal) brutality with which Christians and pagans fought for political power each ignoring the lessons of peace their belief systems professed. I also thought Hypatia's position as a teacher was a too-little-attended-to historical fact. But there are two stories going on here, and they never come together; the connecting writing between the stories bespeaks lazy storytelling. Also, it would have been far more compelling if, instead of trying to figure out the Earth's orbit, Hypatia would have been engaged in a question of more timeless import. We're left screaming, "It's an ellipse," rather than, with suspense, coming to our own answers for her questions. Overall, I think I like <i>Agora</i> less than it deserves; yes, the storytelling is lazy, and yes, it degrades into action sequences before it develops characters, and yes, if there's a main theme, it's something as simplistic as "religion makes people crazy," but it's an ambitious spectacle set in a time that doesn't get a lot of attention in film.

• Manu G

  
  Alexandria, Egypt. 391 A.D. The World Changed Forever The movies problem is not in lack of content, on the contrary, there is just so much going on, there is no focus or general direction to be seen anywhere. There is no general direction for the story itself; in the middle of the… More
  Alexandria, Egypt. 391 A.D. The World Changed Forever The movies problem is not in lack of content, on the contrary, there is just so much going on, there is no focus or general direction to be seen anywhere. There is no general direction for the story itself; in the middle of the movie you're going to be wondering okay what are we concentrating on here...? Here is the way i see it; twists are nice, but total clue-lessness is not. The director is trying to do too much in one movie. He tries to talk about handful of characters at once with way too much detail about each. I would've rather had a movie that talks about one of these characters with much more focus. The acting, however, was pretty good. Rachel Weisz and a handful of actors provided us with an admirable performance that was nice to watch. The environments and depictions of 4th century Egypt were stunning. Not a waste of money, but nothing memorable either.. I've seen better. Alexandria, 391: Hypatia teaches astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy. Her student Orestes is in love with her as is Davus, her personal slave. As the city's Christians, led by Ammonius and Cyril, gain political power, the great institutions of learning and governance may not survive. Jump ahead 20 years: Orestes, the city's prefect, has an uneasy peace with Christians, led by Cyril. The Christians enforce public morality; first they see the Jews as their obstacle, then women. Hypatia has no interest in faith; she's concerned about the movement of celestial bodies and the brotherhood of all. What place is there for her?

• Curtis L

  
  While the movie itself may not be the most amazing drama i've ever seen, the history it covers is really entertaining. I was captivated from start to finish about what was going on in this amazing time period. Beautifully filmed, with incredible sets. Not sure it was my netflix… More
  While the movie itself may not be the most amazing drama i've ever seen, the history it covers is really entertaining. I was captivated from start to finish about what was going on in this amazing time period. Beautifully filmed, with incredible sets. Not sure it was my netflix or what, but there was some blurry scenes and the sound was awful (had to turn it up for dialog and down for music every five seconds).

• Jake .

  
  It really is a shame that Agora has mostly gotten passed over. It doesn't seem that Spain's top grossing film should go straight to dvd in the US, but perhaps that says something about the cultures in question. Honestly, this film will irritate an awful lot of people.… More
  It really is a shame that Agora has mostly gotten passed over. It doesn't seem that Spain's top grossing film should go straight to dvd in the US, but perhaps that says something about the cultures in question. Honestly, this film will irritate an awful lot of people. Christianity and religion as a whole is painted in a very negative light, but I have no doubts as to the historical accuracy. After all, we all know that the earth is flat and the center of the earth! I watched this a couple weeks ago and there was lot of stuff that seemed notable and profound at the time that has now slipped my mind. The relationship between Hypatia and Davus is really interesting and well done - it doesn't necessary take the angles you would expect. Oh! And the ending is amazing and poignant! As is the sequence when the Romans/Christians overtake the city. Overall, in the end you're struck by the overall beauty and potence of the picture and also this horrible disgust towards intollerence in a very real way; not in a stereotypical 'liberal, goodwill' sort of way, it's a deeper realization that 'this really sucks.'

• familiar s

  
  The movie is more educative than entertaining.

• Tsubaki S

  
  A movie not against spirituality, but against intolerance, and religious dogma as a way of life. Well acted and directed, goes without saying that this kind of material won't get many accolades. A shame because Agora's message is as relevant as ever, we can't let… More
  A movie not against spirituality, but against intolerance, and religious dogma as a way of life. Well acted and directed, goes without saying that this kind of material won't get many accolades. A shame because Agora's message is as relevant as ever, we can't let superstition rule our lifes, and the world we live in. It's a constant struggle that will keep going as long as the human race walks this planet.

• Jennifer D

  
  As my second fight-for-religion movie of the day, I deem this one much better than the first.

• Jeremy S

  
  Agora is fascinating in that it is the first film of the historical epic genre that has an atheist as the hero and paints religion as resoundingly dangerous and flawed. The film leaves you with an overwhelming sense of the pathetic tragedy of human existence.

• Lewis C

  
  "Synesius, you don't question what you believe. You cannot. I must." Agora is a very interesting movie set at end of the fourth century A.D. in Alexandria, when the Roman Empire was facing decline and the religious conflict between the pagan worshipers of various gods,… More
  "Synesius, you don't question what you believe. You cannot. I must." Agora is a very interesting movie set at end of the fourth century A.D. in Alexandria, when the Roman Empire was facing decline and the religious conflict between the pagan worshipers of various gods, Jews, and the early Christian church was reaching a violent high point. One of the most interesting periods in history, and a great topic for a movie. Kudos first and foremost for the fact that this movie does its best to avoid having an agenda and casting one side or the other as "evil". Complex situations like these are rarely as simple as black and white, and Agora does a great job of showing that. The crux of the story revolves around a slave named Davus and his relationship with his mistress, a brilliant philosopher (appealing to me, as I was a philosophy major) and teacher named Hypatia (Rachel Weisz), who actually lived during these events. As the city devolves into conflict-fueled chaos around them, Davus must come to terms with both the knowledge Hypatia has taught him, his desire for her, and his interest in the growing Christian faith. At the same time, the great Alexandrian library is being threatened with destruction by those who wish to eradicate the writings held within. It's all quite fascinating to watch. Think Gladiator meets your freshman-level philosophy and astronomy classes. If your looking for a historical drama that's entertaining as well as gives you a glimpse at the tumultuous happenings of the world at that time, Agora is a good fit. Weisz is great, the story never lulls or loses the audiences interest, the recreated city of Alexandria is marvelous, and there's a refreshing attempt at objectivity to it all. Recommended.

• Ginny  

  
  REVIEW TO FOLLOW

• Gordon A

  
  Engaging look at the clash of religious faith with scientific philosophies and discovery. As if they weren't weighty enough topics it focuses on a female philosopher in a time of men. Religion comes off badly and unusually the Romans are the good guys struggling to reconcile the… More
  Engaging look at the clash of religious faith with scientific philosophies and discovery. As if they weren't weighty enough topics it focuses on a female philosopher in a time of men. Religion comes off badly and unusually the Romans are the good guys struggling to reconcile the different faiths. Falls back on toga cliches towards the end but full marks for effort.

• Carlos M

  
  Amenábar's powerful, thought-provoking historical drama virtually brings us back in time with its astonishing, fascinating visuals - and it boasts an intelligent story that raises numerous scientific and religious discussions that are incredibly compelling. Besides, Rachel Weisz… More
  Amenábar's powerful, thought-provoking historical drama virtually brings us back in time with its astonishing, fascinating visuals - and it boasts an intelligent story that raises numerous scientific and religious discussions that are incredibly compelling. Besides, Rachel Weisz is amazing here!

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"If I could just unravel this just a little bit more, and just get a little closer to the answer, then... Then I would go to my grave a happy woman."</i> A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in… More
  <i>"If I could just unravel this just a little bit more, and just get a little closer to the answer, then... Then I would go to my grave a happy woman."</i> A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> Hypatia's patient and reasoned approach to questioning Copernicus' belief that the circle was supremely perfect, is thrown throughout the film into stark contrast with the Christians' ever growing stranglehold on silencing anyone whose ideas conflict with their own by whatever convenient argument suits them. Several times throughout the drama Hypatia mentions the sacrifices her devotion to science has led her to make. How her two male suitors are constrained by this introduces elements of a compelling (and possibly unique) variation on the theme of a triangular love relationship. Rachel Weisz's performance gives Hypatia's character a distinctly endearing charm, from her excitement while seeking answers to the philosophical questions of the day to her dignified reaction to the rising tide of ignorance and religious intolerance. All other supporting character parts are equally well performed and the direction struck me as being sincere in its motives and honest in its portrayal of the issues.

• William D

  
  "Agora," starring Rachel Weisz as the ancient Greek philosopher Hypatia, is my no.1 film of 2010 so far. There are some weaknesses, but it is consistently dramatic, beautiful and intelligent, overflowing with provocative and thoughtful ideas. -- unfinished

• Ross C

  
  Fitting perfectly between the end of Alexander and Kingdom of Heaven, Agora covers the fall of Alexandria, and with it the ancient Greek culture and civilisation, as the Christians plunged us in to the dark ages for the next thousand years. The story centres around the premise that… More
  Fitting perfectly between the end of Alexander and Kingdom of Heaven, Agora covers the fall of Alexandria, and with it the ancient Greek culture and civilisation, as the Christians plunged us in to the dark ages for the next thousand years. The story centres around the premise that during these halcyon days the philosopher Hypatia had discovered Kepler's Laws but never had the opportunity to document them before her execution. This is no Hollywood epic though has a lot more blood & violence than you'd expect from a more serious drama. Despite some cringeworthy moments it reconnected me with my early childhood fascination with the universe, and for that it was a movie worth seeing.

• Richard B

  
  Hooray for Athiesm! The most wonderfully anti-Christian movie made in years, Agora tells the little known tale of the astronomer /philosopher Hypathia (what? never heard of her?)in the once wonderful Alexandria of the fourth century AD. Here's the plot in a nutshell:… More
  Hooray for Athiesm! The most wonderfully anti-Christian movie made in years, Agora tells the little known tale of the astronomer /philosopher Hypathia (what? never heard of her?)in the once wonderful Alexandria of the fourth century AD. Here's the plot in a nutshell: Christians (St. Cyril) throw the pagans out of the the old library (the greatest storehouse of knowledge in the world) wrecking and burning it. Hypathia rescues books (and reason). Forced conversion follows. Then they go after the Jews, killing many, kicking out the rest. Then they go after the civil authority, making it bow to the church. Finally, Cyril turns on Hypathia - and attacks all women, making them subordinate to men.We follow the story often through the lovesick eyes of Davus, a slave who becomes Christian, only to hound his mistress and love object to eventual death. While women might make a big deal out of the feminism apparent in the plot, the plot correctly puts her persecution in the context of intolerant, fundamentalist Christianity, so brutal and absolute. Though episodic and stilted at times, this Spanish production in English looks good,is well cast (especially Rachel Weisz) and tells a great story few people know about today. There is some science and philosophy in the tale, which bogs it down in chat, but that chat reveals the difference between enlightenment and the future dark ages brought about by Christianity. The Christian Church is responsible for considerable evil in history, yet is rarely taken on with the directness of this film. That makes Agora unusual and worth celebrating. Intolerance is the message as the intolerant Christians mow down every decent person - man or woman - in sight. Worth remembering also,the Spanish Inquisition, which this film presages by over 1000 years. Ignored at the box office, it received a muted reception by critics. If the Passion of the Christ was the disease, Agora is the cure.

• Walter M

  
  "Agora" starts in 391 A.D. in Alexandria where the relative peace of the great learning center is being put to the test by the rise of Christianity whose representatives are coming into conflict with the pagans. At one such confrontation, Davus(Max Minghella), a slave,… More
  "Agora" starts in 391 A.D. in Alexandria where the relative peace of the great learning center is being put to the test by the rise of Christianity whose representatives are coming into conflict with the pagans. At one such confrontation, Davus(Max Minghella), a slave, falls for the old walking-on-fire trick and under the sway of Cyril(Sami Samir). He should know better because he assists Hypatia(Rachel Weisz) in her lectures on natural science. It is not only her lessons that grab the students' attentions, as Orestes(Oscar Isaac) professes his love for her at the theater in front of her father(Michael Lonsdale), giving her the present of his flutes. The following day, she gives him a gift in return... "Agora" is set in a fascinating time and place that is wonderfully recreated on the surface and Rachel Weisz is one of the wonders of the modern world. However, the movie is too busy trying to make connections to the world of today, especially concerning ignorance, religious conflict and the suppression of women, that it does not go very deep at all. All of the film's positions I agree with and they are important but they raise as many questions as they try to answer. What troubles me the most is that Hypatia is about the only woman who has any dialogue in the whole movie. Even all of the slaves are men.(Points to the film for not avoiding the thorny subject of slavery.) She walks freely in the city before the guacamole hits the fan. And she clearly has an exceptional intellect, but is it so much so, that there are no female students? Her father not wishing to marry her off is a clue to the role of women but there needs to be more.

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