Customer Reviews

Raja

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Differences in culture, language, socio-economic class, race--all are obstacles that can be overcome in relationships, but not without difficulty. This challenging film, set in Marrakech, Morocco, addresses these in a story of a wealthy (relatively speaking), expatriate Frenchman seeking an affair (sex and companionship, without commitment) and a young, poor Moroccan woman who seeks to escape prostituting herself for money by finding true love and financial security in this foreigner who pursues her. This is a complex story about conflicting wants and needs, told with a realism that is both disturbing and compelling. Aspects of colonialism are clearly evident in this film, especially reminding the viewer that "you don't bite the hand that feeds you"--a bittersweet, but real dynamic of class division, colonization and conquests around the world.

Regarding cinematography, audiences seeking exotic, panoramic views of this North African country will be disappointed. This movie is a close-up on relationships.

The acting was very convincing. The story describes relationships in many former colonies around the world (i.e., this could be adapted to many different cultural settings).

I strongly recommend this film, but for mature audiences only.

A dissolute Frenchman (Fred), owner of an enclave in Marrakesh, takes a fancy to one of several young girls. They and their families, are fighting endemic poverty, and are struggling to better their lives. The Frenchman, moneyed and with maniacal lust on his mind tries to seduce Raja, one of the girls. Raja, orphaned and sold early to street life, is unwilling to abase herself any longer. Her desire to escape bondage and poverty, however, present very conflicting temptations. We are taken through many a suggestive encounter between Fred and Raja. Raja is urged to accept money and gifts, and prodded by friends and family to yield so that both she and they could benefit from any trickle down largesse. This way Raja can avoid being married off by her scheming brother to a policeman in a distant city. There is also the possibility of Raja and her less complicated boyfriend "Scooter" finding permanent employment as innkeepers under Fred.

Her formerly resolute ego starts to crack and she submits to the French rake. Just once, if only to escape the relentless pestering and threats,she rationalizes perhaps, she will go to bed with Fred. This done, she leaves, presumably forever from his enclave. There is much mutual manipulation between the two, and in the end Raja's moral stance defeats the Frenchman's apparent and covert plans. The see-saw swing of schemes between the two holds elements of nice surprise and tension for the viewers. But this is also tiring and takes away my fifth star in the rating.

There are spots of spicy conversation between the Frenchman and his two older female household helpers. We get to peek into Moroccan ways of betrothal and the wretched state of women there and elsewhere. Slow and incessantly stubborn obsession with sex and seduction made me wonder if Fred had any room left in his head for even minimally nobler thoughts. In many parts of the world other darker economically weaker women also probably suffered such degrading subordinacy during colonial occupancy. I admired Raja for turning this imbalance into occasional strategic advantage.

This is not a movie surrogate for Moroccan tourism or regional mores; however, it can be a brief peek at complex ethno-cultural interactions that extend beyond Morocco to just about any of the former colonies.

do NOT waste your time to watch this!

It started off somewhat ok, but toward the end it got so confusing and stupid!

And the acting was not that great either.

The main female was so ugly, she looked like a skinny boy.

What a stupid film!

It left me angry at myself I watched the whole thing ;-[[[[

Do not judge foreign films based on this movie because there are plenty of great foreign movies out there.

The movie was not appealing at all. It took place mostly in one location...Fred's house. "How boring!" Also, it lacked emotional depth, no real excitement or thrill.

I found the movie to be interesting as far as capturing the complexities of love and desire. It did not seem that the Frenchman was married so the field was open for him.
The acting was excellent. What threw me was the conclusion of the storyline. The story captured the many nuances of attraction, love and desire between the two. The development of the relationship between the man and the woman revealed that they had real love for each other. It seemed that both of them were taken by surprise that each of them would evoke love towards each other. What left me with the impression that the author of the storyline got sucked up into his/her own story, turned upside down and was left suffering with a bad case of existential vertigo was how the story played out with the man pushing the woman away and onto a second man she did not love but was only used to living with. The author develops a storyline where the Frenchman and the woman were taken by love and it surprised both of them. Then it seems the author lost concentration that he/she had developed such a state between the Frenchman and the woman, and then the author whips out an ending where the Frenchman marries off the woman he had love for to the girl's longtime friend whom she did not love. I was left with the impression that the author had forgotten where he/she had brought the relationship to, and needed to quickly end the story because he/she got hungry and needed to go to lunch.

Really striking movie that showed the truth of desire and love. Raja captured the nuances of attraction despite barriers and even put a new twist on the idea of a forbidden, crossing barriers romance. It had a great director and screenwriter to move the film along and into fascinating paths often unconsidered in other films. Unlike some of the reviewers, I actually loved the ending, I thought it could not have been better or closer to reality.
What really drove the film, though, was the acting. Especially from the actors playing Raja and Fred. I can't believe Raja was the girl's first film and I wish I could see her in more! I also loved the scenes with the two old housekeepers - they were hysterical!

This movie is a true gem. There is not much more to say but watch it and add it to your collection.

Different romantic tragedy story. This is what happens when everything is lost in translation. Very good. I recommend this film.

I understood the point that was intended (pun intended), but thought this film was a total drag. Not only was it boring and slow-moving, but I had no interest in any of the characters. Fred needs to get a life. And the ending was like, huh? Absurdly ridiculous. Sorry I wasted my time on this one and cannot understand how this could have won awards.