QUEEN OF THE DESERT – Review

Nicole Kidman and director Werner Herzog bring to life the true story of a trailblazing woman who found freedom in the Middle East. Gertrude Bell (Kidman) leaves behind her buttoned-up life in England for Tehran. Her excursion across the post-World War I Middle East takes her from finding love with a British officer (James Franco), and an encounter with the legendary T.E. Lawrence (Robert Pattinson) – the character that inspired the film LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. While that previous cinematic classic that will come to mind several times while watching this one, the nostalgia doesn’t help matters across this long desert trip.

Nicole Kidman lends the famous traveler, writer, and cartographer just the right amount of spitfire and gumption, especially towards the beginning of the film – she looks towards the heavens and wishes for an earthquake to take her away from a lavish party that she doesn’t want to be attending. As her relationships build and fade through the film, you don’t necessarily get the feeling that she’s losing her independent spirit as much as you come to view her as a young woman who just finished school and is still finding herself. Kidman handles the emotional turmoil perfectly, even if the actress is playing a character half her age.

Who equally excels in just a handful of scenes is James Franco. Even though he relies heavily on his boyish grin, his restraint and quiet delivery make him downright charming. His scenes opposite Kidman are the crux of the film, and Herzog takes the time to spotlight these romantic moments in sincere fashion.

It’s everything around the duo that doesn’t work as well as it should. Overblown soaring music, traveling by map transitions, and unnecessary text descriptions are just some of the ways that Werner Herzog cheapens his own film, making it feel more gimmicky than his presumed intentions. Kidman’s strong but silent approach to the character won’t be able to keep most viewers from drifting asleep. Hence the reason for an enthusiastic score by Klaus Badelt (who previously worked with the director on RESCUE DAWN) to wake you from your slumber.

Ambition can only take you so far when you’re attempting to make a historical romantic epic. Herzog seems more in love with the idea than actually putting in the proper time and energy to take on this lofty goal. He’s directing with just his emotions instead of also with the skills he has developed from over 50 years behind the camera. It hits the right dramatic notes in its minor character moments, but the overall attempt to make an earnest odyssey from Hollywood’s heyday is a lost journey.

Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5

QUEEN OF THE DESERT opens in limited theaters April 7th and VOD on April 14th