293. Three Thousand Years Of Longing; movie review
THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING
Cert 15
108 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong sex, nudity, brief violence, child sexual abuse references
A fairytale for adults? An intriguing and slightly weird concept but George Miller makes it work in Three Thousand Years Of Longing.
Although I couldn't help thinking that he could have dispensed with a bit of gratuitous nudity and made it more family friendly.
Miller's movie stars Tilda Swinton as a loveless academic to whom a djinn (or genie in old language) expresses devotion.
It's the usual three wishes scenario but, firstly, he talks her through occasions when he has granted them in the past and warns of the pitfalls.
Thus, we have some delicious moments in which the djinn (Idris Elba) conjures exotic tales, including his love of the Queen of Sheba and being usurped in her affections by Soloman.
He tells how his fortunes have been inextricably linked to the glass bottle from which he emerged for Swinton's timid teacher.
His presence gives her confidence as the film progresses and she persuades him to tell ever more colourful anecdotes.
And then after much apprehension, comes her moment to decide on her wishes.
Swinton is in her element during Miller's film - she has the chance to show she can play timid and thoughtful, growing into controlled and determined.
Her character is complex but she creates great empathy - even with a rather harsh northern accent.
Meanwhile, Elba offers an interesting juxtaposition - his huge shiny chest proving something of a distraction as he tells of love and loss.
But most of all Three Thousand Years Of Longing is a spectacle - and the magic flows through its flashback scenes thanks to Miller's sublime touch.
Reasons to watch: Unusual adult fairytale
Reasons to avoid: Too much talk, not enough action
Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Did you know? According to the Quran, djinn ae simila to angels, invisible to the naked human eye. It states that humans are created from the earth and jinn from smokeless fire.
The final word. George Miller: "When I read the source material, A.S. Byatt’s Three Thousand Years Of Longing, the paradoxes of the film so contained in a relatively small story—after all, it was just a conversation—were just wonderful." AV Club
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