Egypt, 391 A.D. Hypatia, a renowned scholar teaches her students inside the Library of Alexandria while in the streets religious tensions grow everyday. The fights between Christians, Jews and Pagans create a climate of distrust and fear. During the religious riots led by fanatic Christians who invaded the streets of Alexandria, the young woman is trapped inside the Library with all those who still worshiped the ancient gods…
Davus, a family slave who is in love for Hypatia, tries to protect his mistress the best he can but the young woman is concentrated in her studies and cannot understand how religion can tear apart people who are all equals at her eyes.

Rachel Weisz is the heart and soul of Agora. She is perfect as Hypatia of Alexandria, exuding intelligence, knowledge, compassion and curiosity in her every word and every gesture. I read somewhere that Alejandro Aménabar, the director, wrote this part thinking about Weisz. It’s clear the role fitted the actress like a glove. I only wished there was more movies with her of this caliber, who show us how intense and talented she is.

The rest of the cast was mostly well chosen, even if it’s evident some of them are far from being as gifted as Rachel Weisz. Max Minghella’s Davus was a good surprise with his dark good looks and those shiny eyes burning of passion for his mistress. His role was a bit too predictable but not less enjoyable. I truly hope to see more of him in the future.

A small note about Michael Lonsdale, who effortlessly gets into the role of Theon, the loving and proud father of Hypatia, who acknowledges his daughter intelligence and gives her freedom to pursuit her career.

The movies was shot in Malta and apparently they used the sets of The Gladiator. They manage to create a wonderful Alexandria! I was in complete awe at the end of the movie.
Concerning the soundtrack, Dario Marianelli did an excellent job, his music in perfect harmony with the movie. Another cd to buy as quick as possible!

Even if Agora is one of the best movies I saw in 2009, the story is not without inaccuracies. Hypatia is indeed an astronomer and philosopher, but she is mostly known for her mathematical studies. Aménabar took also some liberties about her death, even if I too prefer to think that she died as he tells us than it was in reality.

Also, the image given by the Christians raised controversy and many discussions about Pope Cyril and the early believers. I am not a religious person, so this didn’t bothered me at all, but even today the destruction of the Library of Alexandria (and of the Ancient World) and the growing power of Christianity leads to speculation about Cyril’s role in many acts of violence (like the murder of Hypatia) and religious pursuits.

I can only say that I’m happy that despite the critics and warnings, Alejandro Aménabar and Rachel Weisz decided to continue the project and they finally gave us a magnificent story about a strong independent woman who was way ahead of her time.

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