goldeng8

I read some of the reviews here, and expected an 'artsy' and even boring film. In fact, I saw (one of) the best historical films ever made in Hollywood. The story of the life of Alexander is told with clarity and restraint. As far as I know (and /nobody/ knows what really happened back then) the story is quite accurate.

It's all there, the epic battles, the ancient philosophers, the splendour of the Eastern urbane civilisations, the complex psychology, the love affairs, and the politics, the adventures of weary armies facing many hardships.

Let me address some of the major points of criticism:

• Long and boring: I find it too short. The life of Alexander should be made into a film twice that long. It is never dull, at least not to an educated, adult audience. I can only guess at the level of mindlessness you must be used to.

• Bad cast, bad acting: no such thing. All the characters seem real to me.

• Too much homosexuality: The relationship between Alexander and Hephaistion is shown like a deep and romantic form of friendship between men, rather than a lustful sexual affair. Sex between men was probably not uncommon in those days, if that offends you, too bad.

• Regional sensitivities: are you Greek, Iranian, or whatever, and you think the point of this forum is to bore us with your small minded pride and arrogance? The film clearly shows how Alexander, the Macedon, admired the Persians because of their culture that was far in advance of the goat herding Europeans'.

Minor criticisms. Why do all the Macedonians speak with an Irish accent? Why do the 'Greek' scrolls contain English texts? Or is this some kind of joke? Go see it if you have an interest in history or well made films. I eagerly await the DVD with more of the story of Alexander.

I went to see it because I am fascinated with Japanese culture. Furthermore, I admire mr. Greenaway for the typical British way in which he exposes hypocrisy, yet in a very tasteful manner, and combines this with baroque visuals. I was warned however that it had nothing resembling a coherent story. It might even be boring.

Call me a twisted European, but I actually like "8.5 women", more than "Eyes wide shut"! The characters are indeed to unnatural to empathize with, and the movie will certainly stimulate your mind more than it will entertain you.....or arouse you sexually. The characters find themselves in a loosely connected stream of little scenes. Rather than making normal conversation, everyone seems to say what they think in this stream of sub-consciousness.

Mr. Greenaway plays with all aspects of sex and connects these, often in a disturbing manner, with death, religion, procreation and age and gender roles. He jumps across the cultures and taboos of this globe. Of course you might be offended by the candid way in which these ideas are treated. However, explicit scenes aren't shown. It doesn't need this effect to create a strange but compelling movie about our confused sexual morals on the threshold of a new millennium.