Three Thousand Years of Longing — A Review.

14th August, 2023: an intro … 

Right … it’s a Friday night.

And I’m cooking dinner: whilst listening to a Youtube video.

Tharries raises some good points, there.

At any rate?

I’m JUST about to have dinner: then watch a film.

I’ll let you know what: when I finish this post, tomorrow night.

~≈🧞‍♂️≈~

15th October, 2023: Three Thousand Years of Longing.

Based on A. S. Byatt’s “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye”, and directed by George Miller, Three Thousand Years of Longing opens with narration from Alithea Binnie (Tilda Swinton): a narratologist, a scholar of stories, who’s on her way to Istanbul for a conference.

At the conference’s main lecture?   Alithea faints on stage: after seeing something unexpected in the audience.

It’s only after recovering — and finishing the lecture — that Alithea decides she can’t leave Istanbul without a momento.

The one that catches her eye?

Is a small, blue and white glass bottle that she buys in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

A bottle that seems both beautiful … and completely innocent.

It’s only when she get back to the hotel, she find out that the bottle … is occupied …

~≈🧞‍♂️≈~

Now … 

What did I make of Three Thousand Years of Longing?

Of a film that is a gorgeous watch … ?

Can I admit I’m not sure how we’re supposed to describe Three Thousand Years of Longing: let alone what its genre is.

With its mix of fantastical elements, in a real setting?   Could we call Three Thousand Years of Longing ‘magic realism’?

I honestly don’t know: I am no academic!

Beyond calling the film a fantasy — along the lines of Pan’s Labyrinth, or The Company of Wolves — or a romance, I couldn’t tell you exactly what Three Thousand Years of Longing is.

However?

We’re looking at a film about a djinn.

A genie, if you want the anglicised term.

And one that — unlike the Robin Williams or Will Smith creatures in the two Disney versions of Aladdin — is not played for comedy.

No: Elba’s Djinn is played seriously, and in a way that reminds us the beings are not comedy sidekicks.

They’re are beings of great power.

I have to give Idris Elba credit for a job that’s both well done: and incredibly sympathetic.

And equally matched: by Swinton as Alithea.

Using a generic Lancashire accent, Swinton has nailed Alithea to the wall: we have a performer that can reveal a lot about herself with a simple frown.

Combine that with the haunting tales the Djinn has to tell, and her response to them?   And him … ?

We have a bewitching pair of performances.

Weave genuine historical figures — Murad 4th, Suleiman the Magnificent — and the ancient stories of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, into the mix?

And some very high production values?

We have a very good film that’s utterly bewitching.

Granted: it’s a romance.

Which isn’t everybodies cup of tea.

And shamefully, it bombed at the box office*.

But?

Three Thousand Years of Longing is a very good film: one I think deserves to be watched at least once.

~≈🧞‍♂️≈~

Now, as a last word … ?

It’s the second week of October.

Frankly?

I’m planning on watching a couple more movies: although I have no idea what.

But?

I’ll be catching those on an ‘as and when’ basis: but telling you about them, when I do.

In case you didn’t know?

I also watch — and review — various TV shows.

So … ?

I’m planning to watch series four of AppleTV+ hit, For All Mankind: when it starts on 10th November of this year.

Oh, and watch and review the Dr Who anniversary specials, when they’re aired.

I’m going to have a busy month, come November.

Hopefully?

I’ll see you then.

Three Thousand Years of Longing.

★★★☆

*        According to Wikipedia, Three Thousand Years of Longing grossed some $20 million: but cost $60 million.