Waiting for the Barbarians (2019)

Preface: Empires have existed -- and done so everywhere -- ever since human got out of hunter gather phase. Vast, oppressive, slaving, hyper violent empires have existed and run by natives of east Asia, Central America, the Middle East, Africa and even withing Polynesian island groups, as well as Europe, going back many millennia. So approach Waiting for the Barbarians, as a universal theme. The oppressors who see those they oppress as barbarian could be Tahitian oppressors of neighbors, Aztecs, Ming dynastics, or anyone.

The film, like the novel, has a number of problems in that the characters approach caricature, but overall it is moderately well done. The dialogue is good. Rylance is great, Johnny Depp not so much. The cinematography is quite good. Overall there are a lot of loose ends and flaws in the film; eg the narrative is a mess.

Fmovies: I can see why it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but personally I loved the film. It's very different from many other action films I've watched, but I liked its uniqueness

Greetings again from the darkness. Nobel Prize winning author J.M. Coetzee's revered novel was first published in 1980, and renowned composer Philip Glass later adapted the South African writer's work into a 2005 opera. It's a fascinating piece of literature that, on the surface, doesn't lend itself easily to the silver screen. Perhaps it works because Mr. Coetzee wrote the screenplay himself, and rising star director Cirro Guerra brings it to life. Mr. Guerra's two most recent films were both excellent: BIRDS OF PASSAGE (2018) and EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT (2015).

Mark Rylance (Oscar winner for BRIDGE OF SPIES, 2015) stars as The Magistrate of a desert outpost on the fringes of territory controlled by 'The Empire'. The Magistrate is mild-mannered and non-confrontational. He's a fair administrator, and Rylance's outstanding performance ensures he's a sympathetic figure, yet not a perfect man. The Magistrate's approach is to maintain a peaceful co-existence with the local nomads, who are described as 'barbarians' by others in The Empire.

Things change quickly and severely when Colonel Joll (Johnny Depp) arrives at the settlement. We see his approach thanks to cinematographer Chris Menges' beautiful wide shot of Joll's horse-drawn carriage surrounded by desert and mountains. Depp plays Colonel Joll as a stoic man committed to a mission he never fully states. Instead he sermonizes about his interrogation process with such gems as "patience and pressure" are the key, and "truth has a certain tone". It's not long before we learn, right along with The Magistrate, that Joll's definition of 'pressure' would be termed torture and brutality by any reasonable person. His ruthless 'interrogations' lead to the result he was sent to obtain: the local barbarians are planning an uprising.

Director Guerra provides sub-chapters for the various seasons through which the story progresses. The Colonel arrived in "Summer" sporting sunglasses, and proclaiming "Pain is truth. All else is subject to doubt." It's a mantra that plays out in various ways. "Winter" brings 'the girl", a native with two broken ankles and other signs of torture. The Magistrate and the girl (Gana Bayarsaikhan, EX MACHINA) have an unconventional relationship, one that doesn't go over well with Joll's police force or the other locals, including Mai (Greta Scacchi), one of the loyal outpost staff members.

"Spring" is subtitled 'The Return', and it includes The Magistrate returning the girl to her people, and his subsequent return to the outpost where Joll's second-in-command, Officer Mandel (Robert Pattinson), has him arrested and tortured for consorting with the enemy. Pattinson plays his role in wild-eyed contrast to Depp's stoicism. When "Autumn" rolls around, it becomes clear that the real question is, "Who is the enemy?" or, perhaps, "Who are the real Barbarians?" The Magistrate is viewed as a traitor and laughingly referred to as "one just man".

It's frustrating at times to think about the modern day application of this story. What is an empire? The violence, narcissism, and lust for power lead to a loss of humanity that is painful to observe. Filmed in Morocco and Italy, the oppressive nature of the frontier makes this quite a downer, and one that requires effort and time to connect as a viewer. It also allows Menges

Waiting for the Barbarians fmovies. Mark Rylance's performance in this film makes it well worth watching. The film is not your typical fast paced Superhero action film that people are so used to today. The film has a Lawrence if Arabia-esque setting and is thoughtfully directed like films of that era. Director Ciro Guerra takes his time and allows the actors to carry the film. It's not a quick cutting, move the camera just for the sake of moving it film.

It is actually something of a Biblical Alegory. The themes of honor, commitment, empathy and purpose resonate throughout. Rylance as the Magistrate embodies the role as something of a Christ like surrogate. Not in the sense of a divine nature but in the characteristics of caring for people. He cares for the sinners, the ones that society deems the lowest. Without spoiling anything, a couple of scenes illustrate this beautifully in the washing of a woman's feet and a Crucifixion parable.

The villains portrayed by Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson are Pontius Pilot and Roman Centurions. While these characters don't have enough screen time to fully arc. There is development of their characters.

A beautiful film with great acting is always something to be savored and enjoyed.

I expected the film with...fear. Because each adaptation of a great novel remains a try . Because the characters and the atmosphere are more posessions of reader than work of the writer . But the film is decent . Grace to cinematography , reasonable solutions for inner monologue of Magister and, no doubts, for the admirable work of Mark Rylance and Greta Scacchi. And, sure, for not bad Colonel Joll proposed by Johnny Depp. Moments of novel are fresh, the intro is just beautiful and it works, maybe better than as adaptation, like a colonial story. And the barbarians as Mongols remains an inspired solution. In my case, only two surprises - the absence of generous belly of Magister and his so large office. But , obvious, it is a reasonable adaptation. So, just decent.

Watched this movie with no expectations more than a slight interest in late 19th century colonial history. Past mid-point I started to ask myself when it would truly begin, for the story never felt intriguing to me, neither did the characters (although there were one or two scenes with Johnny Deep that were enjoyable). By the end of it I had to search for an explanation of the movie, on the internet, since I was convinced that I had missed some key elements somewhere; but no, to my big surprise I seemingly managed to stay focused enough to catch it all. So what is there to this movie?

In my opinion, it's very focused on delivering a message, so much that it takes away from what could have been at least somewhat of an interesting story; the message itself is clear not long after the beginning of the movie and once you get it, you've had it all.

And what about my interest in history? Well, the movie takes place in "the Empire" and the soldiers came from "the capital", more than that I don't know. Some more action could've helped a little, but no, there's barely any action either to save it. You are in for a slow-paced movie, with a weak story and decent acting, trying to deliver a message.