Friday, March 09, 2007
One Night with the King
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This is the story of the biblical Esther with additional drama and eye candy. Although some of it is authentic, much was added in order to attract an audience. I don't think it got very good reviews, but I've noticed, as well, that Costco has increased its stock of this movie in order to accommodate the high demand for it on DVD. I understand that demand. It is thoroughly involving and enjoyable to watch. John Rhys-Davies is commanding, as always, the portrayal of Esther is enjoyably whimsical, the King of Persia, which not particularly well acted, is played by a man who has a sufficiently exotic charisma, even the part of Haggai is noteworthy. It's fun, as well, to watch the cameos of Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif. It is full of eye candy, a rival to The Ten Commandments, at least in this respect, and the dramatic emphasis is satisfying. Although it is probably the least accurate of the movie bible portrayals that we own, I would have to say that it's one of my mother's favorites. At this writing we've probably viewed it four times, three at my mother's request, and we've had it only two weeks. Much to my ambivalent chagrin and delight, it's a winner in our household.
The only reliable and fair review I could find is, yes, a "Christian" review, for a "Christian" audience, but it is surprisingly fair and actual brings some critical skill to bear, noticing technical flaws that I didn't notice.
Update 8/2/21: Funny thing. As I was adding the director to this movie, I was reminded of my ambivalence about it, then, suddenly, I remembered when I saw and bought the movie at Costco, without having seen it.
There was a woman next to me at the DVD table (which Costco no longer has) picking up a copy and saying to me, "I just love this movie! Don't you just love this movie?"
I admitted that I hadn't yet seen it and was buying it because my mother enjoys bible movies.
"Oh," she gushed, "You'll both just love it!"
Weird that I even have that memory!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Tiffany Dupont Hadassah/Esther Luke Goss Xerxes I of Persia John Rhys-Davies Mordecai Omar Sharif Prince Memucan Tommy Lister, Jr. Hegai Jonah Lotan Jesse John Noble Admatha James Callis Haman Peter O'Toole Prophet Samuel Denzil Smith Prince Carshena Jyoti Dogra Queen Vashti Tom Alter King Saul Aditya Bal King Agag Dilshad Patel Anna Nimrat Kaur Sarah Asif Basra Prince Marsena
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 2006
Directed by Michael O. Sajbel.
Labels: bible-movies1, mom-favorite1, popcorn-and-soda3, royals, spectacle2
