Day of the Falcon

I love the desert, camels, middle-eastern music and culture, and was excited to learn about the history of the infamous 'Yellow Belt' in the 1930 Arab states, but sadly I was un-impressed with this 2011 adventure-drama's depiction. Starring Spanish Antonio Banderas, English Mark Strong and French actor Tahar Rahim, this film had it's great moments; but despite it's exquisite cinematography and gigantic budget of 40 million Euros, it was stretched out too long, and because of it's cumbersome dialogue and poor delivery in many parts it became confusing and un-interesting. 

Based on the novel by Italian/Swiss Hans Reusch and adapted into screenplay by French writer Alain Godard and from the Netherlands Menno Meyjes, and directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud; they posed the question to viewers, 'which is better? The traditions or the modern way?' I felt the film had potential to be great like other Eastern film classics like 'Hero' or 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'; however the film's progression wasn't as fluid or poetic in it's delivery.

Indian beauty Frieda Pinto (whom you may remember from Slum-dog Millionaire) offered very little excitement, stirring or believability with her role and it was difficult for the audience to connect or feel for her character at all. Filmed in Tunisia and Quatar, with a run-time of 130 minutes, even though there were some great direction for fight sequences and transitions, it wasn't until 'model turned actress' Ethiopian Liya Kebede came on the scene that the story gain genuine heart and when difficult decisions had to be made. 

I am not a fan of demonizing cultures or people's for their differences in their beliefs and/or ways of life, and I am not suggesting that this film did it tremendously; however there were some references and statements made concerning the Quaran and of the Arab people that did not sit well with me. Huge potential, lovely backdrops and architecture and some good moments, but not gripping or inspirational enough to win awards, garner nominations or become a cult classic.