By Gregory Crofton
“The Square” is a “stunning” movie, as New York Times’ critic A.O. Scott said in his film review, because it captures momentous times in the political history of Egypt and the Middle East, and these moments come through in a stunningly clear and vital way on camera.
However “The Square” is a slowly drawn picture, and repetitive at times, particularly during the first third of the film. The characters in the film are charismatic, but you don’t get to know them well. The documentary’s strengths though are many. The film gives viewers a chance in a sense to experience recent history they may have overlooked. It also works in conveying and explaining differences between the Muslim Brotherhood and the rest of the revolutionaries.
Bet on “The Square” to win the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature come March 2nd because it’s an “important” and politically charged film. It’s also a pretty good one.