The greatest movie ever!

Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Just going on tour through the Medina in Algiers with one of these wild characters defines Picaresque, Romantic, Nostalgic and Beautiful. I will not soon forget that. I don't think the Woman who made this ever did a movie before, but her direction, cutting and empathy with the characters is amazing. This is much more than the music, more than the characters and more than the history which came and cast them asunder. Director Safinez Bousbia stirred and mixed it all together like a great cook. Here this character, here that one, here the music, here this city, here that, here the revolution, then back again. The resulting meal is fit for Shahryar, the King as he listens to Sheherezade, the storyteller. It is not Perfect, so it doesn't get a ten. But it is way, way up there.