thislizard

Most viewers see this story as an inter-cultural and inter-racial issue and point out what characters could have done instead of what they did. But I saw that this movie tells a lot about relationships in general and you certainly don't have to like the characters to enjoy the story.

Carola is annoying in her expectation that everything is always going to be the way she wants it. Also the title "White Massai" is misleading, since this woman does close to nothing to become a part of the Massai community. Even travel journalists sometimes put clay in their hair or sit down with the village women, but Carola was to busy creating her own world there.

Lemaian is not only a Samburu warrior, first of all he is a huge male ego walking on two legs. With Carola's stubbornness and impractical ambitions the clash of civilizations was largely the clash of opposite sex and the clash of two egos.

As we observe the development of their relationship we are reminded of some important aspects of sex, such as foreplay, female orgasm and cuddling after, to which some men in many cultures may not pay enough attention. Also, thanks to affection in the relationship Lemaian shows that he can be a caring and clever man, it is a beautiful lesson to be learned. Sadly, there are also certain contradictions in this character, he is a respected warrior and goes to town more often than others, yet he seems very naive and weak when confronting men from his family tribe. It is really annoying.

But as I said, you don't have to like nor understand the characters to enjoy the movie. It is really well shot and the landscapes are stunning. Still it doesn't reveal that much about Africa as it does about abusive men and compulsive women. They failed not only because of the cultural gap, but mainly because of their egos.

Oh, dear. It's a really bad movie, but still worth watching, even for laughs (or for unshaven Colin Firth).

I swear I was told it is an "epic historical drama". By my sense, it is just a little less historically accurate than "Asterix in Britain". Why didn't they go for a full fantasy picture, but only used style of filming typical for fantasy movies and pretended to be using historical setting? Maybe that's how you could film a legend.

Legends, however, most of all show how certain people today want to define their identity. By this interpretation of the Arthurian legend Britain apparently says: "we, the British, have the true spirit of Roman soldiers, and totally so do Black and Hindu people under our rule." I'm not sure if it's plain imperialism or just political correctness gone wrong and whether I should laugh (well, I did almost every time I saw that fat African-American dude among the Roman legionaries) or just get sick (it's a modern movie, do people really think that way?). I think Firth's many roles as an upper-class English gentleman contribute to this picture.

There are many things that didn't make sense neither historically nor within the plot. It's hard to say whether the creators of the movie were ignorant or rather purposefully wanted to show their beliefs and values regardless of the general knowledge. I'm not going to list every detail, but surely the better you know history, the louder you'll laugh.

Putting the confusing overtones and nonsensical settings aside, it is an enjoyable adventure with some funny moments and moving hugs. The movie is also family-friendly, because there is nothing inappropriate except sword fights. And even though Aishwarya Rai looks gorgeous, there's no chemistry between the male and female protagonists, the romance is implied just because they are the male and female protagonists. The implication is so weak, that I (an imaginative adult) honestly though they lied on the bed together because it was cold.

My guess about the target audience was perfect. Within IMDb demographics the movie is rated the highest by Males under 18 (action-adventure plot with a sophistication of the last decade's PC game) and Females over 45 (sincerly, Colin Firth has never looked so manly in any other movie). Doesn't it speak volumes?

I must have really overrated the movie with 4 stars, but at least I had a good laugh and didn't get bored. Also, there was the moon shown twice in different phases, which is the most rare things in movies (in almost all cases it is only the full moon which is the proper hint that it is night) and that excuses the poorly digitally pasted backgrounds in view scenes and saves a star.

Dear me, I still can't stop laughing. Maybe re-reading some fragments from a history book and re-watching "Mamma Mia!" will help me restore sanity.

And if there is any new movie about Spartans, Vikings and Ninjas coming out, make sure Colin Firth is in it. Unshaven.