From its baldly overwritten dialogue to its claustrophobically stingy use of locations, Dragons is underdone in every way.
There Be Dragons
Spain, United States · 2011
Rated PG-13 · 1h 52m
Director Roland Joffé
Starring Charlie Cox, Dougray Scott, Wes Bentley, Rodrigo Santoro
Genre Drama, History, War
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Robert, a young journalist, is investigating Josemaria Escriva, the founder of the religious organization Opus Dei. Rising out of the The Spanish Civil War, Opus Dei has long attracted scrutiny for its cult-like practices. Robert discovers his father had a dark connection to Opus Dei and seeks the hidden truth.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
Chicago Reader by Andrea Gronvall
The resulting mix of hagiography and war epic is so muddled that characters keep addressing each other by their first names, the better to tell them apart.
Controversially, Escrivá started the Opus Dei, and There Be Dragons is best appreciated by those seeking more realism than the albino self-whipper of "The Da Vinci Code."
The Hollywood Reporter by Kirk Honeycutt
British writer-director Roland Joffé dips a toe into explosive material - the Spanish Civil War, betrayal, sainthood, Opus Dei - but all these big themes and characters slip from his grasp.
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
Florid, convoluted historical drama.
Austin Chronicle by Marjorie Baumgarten
There's an interesting story here, but Joffe never firmly wraps his arms around it.
In fairness, putting holiness onscreen is an enormous challenge. It can be done, as several directors have shown, most notably Dreyer and Bresson. Bad enough that Joffe is the poor man's Lean. He's also the nonbelieving man's Dreyer and Bresson.
Because his character is never clear, Manolo's choices lack emotional interest and narrative urgency.
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