Three Thousand Years of Longing
Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton embrace the magic of storytelling in George Miller's Three Thousand Years of Longing
A cacophony of sound and stunning images, Three Thousand Years of Longing works best when the Djinn is weaving his magical tales. Director George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road) is no stranger to bombastic filmmaking. And he’s fully able to unleash his imagination here, with some thrilling set pieces and bursts of beautiful color. While the visuals never disappoint, the script makes the film lag a bit. The framing device—the fairytale of Alithea and the Djinn— doesn’t have the same sense of wonder and whimsy that the rest of the film does.
At its heart, the film is interested in the magic inherent in sharing stories, and cinematographer John Seale (Mad Max: Fury Road) does his best to infuse each scene with shimmering enchanted touches. Each story the Djinn tells is set in a new locale with new sights and sounds to explore. It’s a visual feast, but one that doesn’t fully satisfy. The parts set in modern times feel long, with fewer pops of color and quirks to keep up the interest. The viewer would be excused for wishing to stay in the Djinn’s tales.
Verdict: George Miller’s latest flick is a visually stunning story, but he should have wished for a stronger script. See it on the big screen if you’re interested to enjoy the cinematography.
