The Milwaukee Post

By TOM JOZWIK Post Film Critic Stories of literal and figu- rative queens have become something of a big-screen staple over the past six months. "Queen of Katwe" (an unofficial designation) appeared first, early last fall. Next, in the dead of winter, came "A United Kingdom," about a British- bor n queen of Botswana. And now, "Queen of the Desert," the nickname- titled biopic of another Brit, Gertrude Bell (1868- 1926), is settling into American auditoriums. Directed by the German Werner Herzog ("Aguirre: The Wrath of God") from his own script, the new drama was a long time com- ing. "Desert's" unenviable saga includes major cast turnovers and a change in production companies that delayed its U.S. release two years from the time of its German debut. But a decidedly decent movie is the net result, with 2016 Oscar nominee Nicole Kidman ("Lion") and James Franco endearing in parts first assigned to Naomi Watts and Jude Law, plus Damian Lewis and Robert Pattinson very watchable as well. Franco portrays a Bell lover Gertrude describes as "agreeable, intelligent, well- read" and Pattinson a cocky young T.E. Lawrence. More incidental characters like Gertrude's father (David Calder, sounding a lot like the late John Houseman) and Winston Churchill (Christopher Fulford, who's certainly managed to cap- ture the statesman's visage) are also deftly rendered. The problem: "Desert's" plot, which, while not exact- ly dry as the Sahara (no pun intended), is hardly scintil- lating. The film spotlights an incredible woman, Gertrude (Kidman), who progressed from "brilliant young scholar" at Oxford to explorer, linguist, archeolo- gist, self-styled politician, spy and author. But the filmmakers make the mis- take of inordinately confin- ing their story to world trav- eler Bell's desert dealings with Bedouins, sheikhs and the like en route to becom- ing expert in the ways of Middle Easter ners and working with Churchill to set the borders between Jordan and Iraq. Miss Bell's (she never married) diplomacy might be remarkable stuff, but it simply isn't the stuff of a l o n g - t o - b e - r e m e m b e r e d movie. Instead of getting bogged down in and around the desert, Herzog should've re-created more dramatic aspects of Gertrude's life (a harrowing mountain climbing adven- ture, for instance), and thus created a more indelible product. Actress Kidman called her character "the female Lawrence of Arabia" and, while that actual head- dressed colonel is depicted onscreen, "Desert" is no "Lawrence of Arabia" — or "Dr. Zhivago," to name yet another mid-1960s cinemat- ic epic. While "Desert" employed 1,500 extras for its Morocco scenes alone (film- ing was also done in Jordan and Great Britain), the new movie lacks those predeces- sors' dramatic buildup. Klaus Badelt's fetching musical theme is worthy of an epic film, however, and "Desert's" actors, cine- matography (Peter Zeitlinger, with whom Herzog has worked for years) and tastefully ren- dered romantic interludes, all in service of revealing a most accomplished histori- cal figure far ahead of her time, deserve a critic's posi- tive acknowledgment and a sophisticated film buff's patronage. 'Bloomsday' explores wisdom of years, perspective By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic MILWAUKEE — The pas- sage of time is inexorable, but our capacity to rum- mage through the past and speculate about the future makes both accessible, despite the inaccuracies often involved in both these ruminations. "Bloomsday" is a memo- ry play by Steven Dietz, set in Dublin, honoring James Joyce's "Ulysses," one of the most acclaimed and vili- fied books ever written. If you have ever had the guts and perseverance to plow ENTERTAINMENT 'Queen of the Desert' a satisfying trip Nicole Kidman and Robert Pattinson in a scene from the biopic "Queen of the Desert." IFC Films "Queen of the Desert" ★★★ Starring: Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Damian Lewis, Robert Pattinson Director-writer: Werner Herzog MPAA rating: PG-13 Running time: 128 minutes Showings: www.ifc.com At a glance Ross Zentner 14 • Milwaukee County Post • April 14, 2017 We are now accepting Memorials, Obituaries and Pending Death Notices. Now for only $85 (Includes up to 300 words.) For an extra $10 Add a Photo. Or a short notice for only $25 (Includes 25 words.) For more information call Dan Muckelbauer @ 262-513-2626 and leave a message or email dmuck@conleynet.com Let your friends and relatives know about the passing of a loved one. Place a memorial in the Milwaukee County Post newspaper. DEADLINES ARE TUESDAY (2pm) FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKEND PAPER. 255271004 Jordan Watson, Kyle Curry and Carrie Hitchcock in Next Act Theatre's "Bloomsday." See 'BLOOMSDAY' on Page 16

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