Queen of the Desert (2015)

Anyone would think that Werner Herzog has lost his power to compel with this and the disappointing BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS. QUEEN OF THE DESERT is a lengthy biopic of British explorer Gertrude Bell, but in Herzog's hands it turns into a tawdry, drawn-out story bogged down by romance and glossing over the interesting parts of Bell's life. The first mistake is in casting a fiftysomething Nicole Kidman in a role that should have been played by a woman thirty years younger. I don't care how much plastic surgery Kidman has had, but she doesn't look or act like a young intrepid woman at all. Kidman delivers a typically superficial performance, concentrating on her note-perfect accent over anything approaching depth or insight. She's bland. The best actor here is Robert Pattinson as Lawrence of Arabia, but he has very limited screen time. The rest is a blur of well-shot desert landscapes and stultifying human drama, and I'm afraid it's my worst Herzog viewing yet. Perhaps he should stick to the great documentaries he still makes, like INTO THE INFERNO.

Phooey with all the comments that this is not "Lawrence of Arabia," or that it doesn't have the passion of other Herzog movies like Fitzcarraldo. I loved it. And, I say nay to the reviewers who praise the cinematographer, but say Herzog, the director has lost it. As I see it, Herzog is the guy telling the cameraman what to do, and Herzog has the last say in film editing. And, visually, this movie is stunning. AND, the musical soundtrack is awesome, even better than Lawrence of Arabia (except for that unforgettable theme.) Then there's Nicole Kidman. She certainly does it for me. I was with her all the way. Never did I think, "oh, she wasn't right in that scene." It all felt right all the way to the final shot of the "back side" of the camel with Nicole riding into the sunset. A couple of things, I haven't seen anybody mention: First is another dimension to this movie and a possible reason Herzog did it. It provides a dramatic perspective on what the Middle East was then, and what it is now. It's an antidote to the Western "crusader" perception of Middle Easterners. The second comment I haven't heard is that this movie at times comes across as a documentary, which is why I think some label it as "dull." But, the line between documentary and "movie" movie is getting blurred these days. I'd rather see a "movie" that comes across as a documentary (which this one does) than a "documentary" that appears to try to be a movie. "Queen of the Desert" is very "educational." I learned a lot, as if that's the kiss of death for a real movie. No problem for me. I was highly informed (I had never heard of Gertrude Bell) and highly entertained.

Indeed, one of the first feminists to make a major mark on the world was Gertrude Bell and this cinematic dramatized biography, while magnificent to view and sumptuous in visual details, is not what we have grown to expect from writer/director Werner Herzog who has studied history, literature and theatre and founded his own production company in 1963. Has staged several operas, besides others in Bayreuth, Germany, and at the Milan La Scala in Italy. Herzog has won numerous national and international awards for his films. We have come to depend on his illumination of great people of history: in QUEEN OF THE DESERT he seems anchored in created a vastly impressive period piece rather than focus on the extraordinary accomplishments of Gertrude Bell.As the description states the film is a chronicle of British socialite Gertrude Bell's life, a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century whose impact on the decisions made about the lands of Arabia and the Middle East were of major importance. She was a woman who left the comforts of life to become and intrinsic part of the great desert she loved so passionately. Gertrude is played with grace by Nicole Kidman, her love interests are Henry Cadogan played by James Franco (impressive in a romance drama for a change), and Charles Doughty-Wylie (Damian Lewis). The supporting cast includes Jay Abdo as Gertrude's guide Fattuh, Christopher Fulford as Winston Churchill, ad Robert Pattison as Col. T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia).The photography is splendid (Peter Zeitlinger) as is the musical score by Klaus Badelt. QUEEN OF THE DESERT is a fine evening's entertainment – if only the film had focused more on the incredible life and achievements of Gertrude Bell

Truth be told, I haven't seen many Herzog films (although I wish I had now) which is probably why I enjoyed this more than that person who said "a typical Herzog." I thought the cinematography was really good and accurately displayed how Gertrude Bell viewed the countries in her perspective. Nicole Kidman was good in her role and so was the rest of the cast, who all gave good, realistic, stable performances. The editing to join the scenes together was very good, and because of the really good editing the film had a nice flow to it that can let you be carried by the film's wind. The true story that this film was based on is also very interesting, and was a good choice for a movie.Overall, I think you'll like it if you're like me and haven't seen many Herzog movies. Sorry about the bad review, but don't worry, I'm working on it. Right now, I'm just stating what I liked about the film, and if you'd like it or not. My personal opinion is 8.0/10, mostly because of the adventurous, exotic and foreign tone and the beautiful cinematography, and I think you'll enjoy it if you don't have too critical a mind.