Esther

Author: M. K.
Location: Washington State

"Esther"

Directed by Ang Lee
Written by Robert Nelson Jacobs (based on the story in the "Tanakh")
Music by Itzhak Perlman and Matisyahu

Principal Cast:

Natalie Portman(Esther)
Brian Cox (Mordecai)
Alexander Siddig (King Ahashuares)
Hiam Abbas (Queen Vashtee)
Hugh Jackman (Haman)

Tagline: "What happens in Babylon stays in Babylon, November 2007"

Synopsis: Based on the story of Esther in the Old Testament. Natalie Portman (Closer, Garden State) leads an all star cast including Brian Cox (Troy, Match Point), Alexander Siddig (Syriana, "Star Trek: Deep Space 9"), Hiam Abbas (Munich, Paradise Now), and Hugh Jackman (The X-Men Movies), into a film that takes a classic story, and gives a punch that no once realized it could have. Artfully directed by Academy Award Winner Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain), and Written by Academy Award Nominee Robert Nelson Jacobs (Chocolat) this new master piece will be one that you won't be able to stop talking about. With original music by Itzhak Perlman and Matisyahu.

What the press would say:

This film is a delightful adaptation to a story that was almost completely forgotten. The film begins with introducing us to a sweet young Jewish girl named Esther (Natalie Portman who's been raised by her wise Palace guard cousin, Mordecai (Brian Cox). Esther is soon however forced to become the Queen of Babylon after the beheading of it's previous Queen (Hiam Abbas) by the seemingly heartless king (Alexander Siddig) and man who's actually manipulating him, Haman (Hugh Jackman), to destroy a people who know what , but what this film does is elaborate on parts the Jewish Bible skipped out on, like showing Esther's life before and during her rise as queen. Now if most directors had tried to this to a story, it would've become a major snoozfest, but the way Ang Lee does it, you can't stop asking for more. This film gets 5 stars in my book.

Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director: Ang Lee
Best Adapted Screenplay: Robert Nelson Jacobs
Best Original Score: Itzhak Perlman
Best Original Song: "We Must Not Stop Rememberin' " Music and Lyrics by
Matisyahu
Best Actress: Natalie Portman
Best Supporting Actor: Brian Cox
Best Supporting Actor: Alexander Siddig
Best Supporting Actor: Hugh Jackman
Best Supporting Actress: Hiam Abbas
With Various other Technical Nominations including Editing and
Cinematography.