The Sheltering Sky [DVD]

I read Paul Bowles' darkly introspective 1949 novel "The Sheltering Sky"  The Sheltering Sky  some years ago and wanted to see this 1990 movie directed by Bernardo Bertolucci before rereading the book. Set in French North Africa following WW II, "The Sheltering Sky" tells the story of three educated, idle, and callow Americans who decide to visit North Africa for an indeterminate time and purpose. Both the book and the film focus on a failing marriage and on the folly of traveling without understanding to a new and markedly unfamliar culture. To a greater degree than the book, the film emphasizes the failed marriage aspect of the novel. The film changes the novel substantially, but film is a different medium and the outline of Bowles' book is recognizable. The movie was high-budget, featured famous actors in Debra Winger as Kit, John Malkovich as her husband Port and Campbell Scott as the couple's friend Tunner. The movie failed financially at the box office and received mixed reviews. The video version dates from 2002.The film combines some strongly appealing features with some serious weaknesses. The major strength of the movie lies in its cinematography and in the evocative scenes of the Sahara Desert, of village streets, buses over dusty roads, urban areas in which French and Arabic culture are mixed, nightclubs, and a variety of hotels. Together with the scenes of Africa, the movie opens with a surprisingly effective collage of the vibrant New York City that the three travelers are leaving behind. The scenery is gorgeous throughout and it is combined with some effective, though mixed, acting from the principals and from secondary characters. Several scenes between Winger and Malkovich are poignantly done as Kit and Port try to understand one another and to rekindle their passion. In other scenes the acting is indifferent. The film also features Paul Bowles offering short narrations at three critical points in the film and appearing in cameo roles. (He is presented nattily dressed sitting in a bar and commenting on the action.)The weaknesses of the film consist of its excessive length and slow pacing. Bowles harsh story frequently gets lost and sentimentalized in the lushly romantic presentation. Many of the transitional scenes of the story are abrupt and make the film creak at the joints. Much of the final part of the movie, the climax of Bowles' tragic tale is presented in a long confusing pantomime which bogs down and lacks dramatic effectiveness. The three primary characters remain detached and unlikable making it difficult for the viewer to become involved or sympathetic with their plights. The film tends to be flat taken as a whole.I am looking forward to revisiting Bowles' novel. Late in his life, Bowles spoke dismissively of this movie. For all its faults, it is worth seeing as a film version of the book, for the scenery, and for the brief appearances of Bowles himself. Admirers of Bowles and of the novel will benefit from seeing this film adaptation of "The Sheltering Sky".Robin Friedman

i saw the movie first (mistake). Debra Winger blecch. Even Phillip Seymour Hoffman was as uninteresting as i have ever seen him. John Malkovich was ok.But now that i am reading the novel i am blow away by just how good the film could have been. The scenery and setting was the only salvation of the film but what a shame that the other choices of the film could have been so much better.Anyway nuff about the film. The plot of the novel is as spare as the desert setting but the story is so loaded with omens and the arrogance of the characters as they travel through ever more regressive Sahara communities sets an ominous trajectory. Bowles simple but sharp observations of the motivations and insecurities of the Husband and Wife obscures the dangers they are inviting even as they loom ever closer like a rising desert zephyr right outside the door. Outstanding achievement in travel fiction.Now i see the motivation for Sting's song Tea In the Sahara by the Police.

This film has equal portions of fantastic and tedious, but the fantastic is what I remember.

This review contains spoilers.The Sheltering Sky is about an affluent post-WWII American couple whose marriage is on the rocks, and who are seeking reunion and deeper meaning by traveling through northern Africa. This couple finds neither reunion nor meaning in their travels, just further separation, confusion, and despair. The first two thirds of the film focus on the relationship of the couple, but that focus is always weakened by the critical fact that the viewer isn't shown what drove them apart to begin with. Both partners become unfaithful during their travels, but some love still persists between them. While they are in a very remote area, the husband dies of typhoid, leaving the distraught wife alone in an alien and inhospitable environment.At that point the film does a 180 degree turn, and shows the adrift wife quickly becoming the submissive concubine of an Arab. If that sounds completely random, that's because it is. It is also completely unbelievable to watch her react with cheerful erotic abandon, very soon after the trauma of her husband's death and her terrifying isolation in a foreign desert, as well as while she is kept prisoner by a stranger who does not speak her language. In fact, this part of the film resembled a soft porn fantasy more than a response that would genuinely come out of that character. If the film had portrayed her as being emotionally battered and terrified, and submitting to this new man in exchange for emotional support or even just out of fear, it would have been plausible- here, she is shown playfully enjoying herself, even cheerfully cutting up the journal she used to seriously write in, in order to decorate her erotic boudoir/prison. Yes, this might be the symptom of a mental breakdown, but it isn't portrayed that way, so her behavior just isn't believable. Eventually she is freed/forced out by the man's jealous wives, and has a breakdown as she wanders through the very primitive and inhospitable village. With no explanation, she is next shown in a hospital, where an American charity worker is assigned to take care of her. She is taken back to the African city where the film began. Her American lover is waiting for her, but instead of meeting him, she wanders off to a cafe, where she states the obvious, that she is "lost".This film was based on a book, and many reviewers have stated that the film is more enjoyable if you've read the book, so you can understand it. However, a filmgoer shouldn't have to read the book to fully understand and enjoy the film, which should be able to stand alone. The Sheltering Sky does not stand alone effectively. The novel's author appears as an occasional bystander and narrator for the film, but as the film doesn't consistently show believable people in believable situations, his narration only distracts and distances the viewer from the film, rather than deepening their appreciation for it.

This is a strange and unique film--which is why it is so good. The well-dressed and well-healed protogonists are treated by the director with the disdain that they deserve. John Malkovich is wonderful. The photography is fantastic. The film drifts a bit for awhile as it follows the rather meaningless but interesting journey of a few rootless Americans through Northern Africa. The film catches on fire during the last third and puts you and Debra Winger's character in a place you never have been. The director pulled a particularly sweet trick by including the author of the original novel, Paul Bowles, in the film.

Great photography, period flic, with great actors and excellent story.

I have been waiting for a proper Blu-ray release of this movie for a long time and here it is at last. The image quality is outstanding and there are plenty of worthwhile extras. Filmed in Morocco, Algeria and Niger, this was one of the most challenging location pictures ever made. Dramatically flawed maybe, but it's a majestic thing to watch, and Debra Winger should have won an Oscar.

I watched and video recorded this film about 20 years ago, and thought at the time that while it was a powerful story with the most wonderful and telling shot locations, that it was over long. About 6 weeks ago I watched & recorded it again. It remained a haunting and somehow inescapable story, with such fine performances. (The Timothy Spall character is some how 'strange' and over played. But as I have not read the book , perhaps the character is meant to be this strange with this forced theatricality). On transferring the film to DVD I blundered and lost the transfer. So I bought this DVD. For me it is a 'must have'. The Copy is excellent quality, wonderful sound with a good sharp image. It comes with no extras.I'm told the book is a masterpiece. For my money, the film is not far behind. The direction by Burtolucci has such finesse, the pace is somehow rests on the feeling of the importance of 'time', 'time' to understand what the problem is with too much time and too much money. Beautifully done, beautifully un-hurried.

Makes a change from box office smashes. Too hard to do but great effort from the actors. Great characters working with very little.

A strange and haunting film, very good.

An intriguing novel set in the Sahara - don`t miss the film