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Keeper: The Legend Of Omar Khayyam, The

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Keeper: The Legend Of Omar Khayyam, The reviews
43
9.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 12 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Adventure  |  Drama  |  Family/Kids

Written by: Belle Avery
Kayvan Mashayekh

Directed by: Kayvan Mashayekh

Release Date:
Theatrical: June 10, 2005

Running Time: 95 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: PG for violence and a scene of sensuality

Starring Vanessa Redgrave, Moritz Bleibtreu, Rade Serbedzija, Bruno Lastra, Christopher Simpson, Adam Echahly, and Marie Espinosa

This historical epic tells the story of a contemporary boy living in America who uncovers a secret connection to the Great Omar Khayyam, 11th Century Persian Mathematician, Astronomer, and Poet of the famous "Rubaiyat."

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

80

Film Threat Merle Bertrand

Gleaming like a well-polished magic lamp on a vibrant Persian rug, The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam showcases Arabian/Muslim culture at its best and brightest.

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70

Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust

There is nothing extraordinary about the filmmaking, but Mashayekh's old-fashioned commitment to his and co-writer Belle Avery's story creates an overall satisfying experience.

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63

Boston Globe Ty Burr

A vanity film refreshingly lacking in vanity.

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63

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

While sumptuously beautiful, the film is often stilted and undermined by some painfully amateurish performances that no good intentions can smooth over.

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63

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

The time-traveling is a little awkward, and a mawkish turn of events feels forced and unnecessary.

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50

LA Weekly Scott Foundas

Though the story hardly lacks for event as it traces Khayyam's ascension from the peasantry to the royal court, the period costumes and sets look to be on loan from Medieval Times, as do most of the actors, and the boxy, harshly lit compositions make everything feel even more cardboard.

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50

San Francisco Chronicle Jonathan Curiel

Rough around the edges, it's still a formidable movie.

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40

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

The wraparound storyline is unnecessary and continually interrupts the vastly more interesting story of Khayyam's history.

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40

Variety Joe Leydon

Lofty ambitions and unaffected sincerity are not quite enough to sustain The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam, a reverentially pokey drama that plays less like a conventional movie than a lengthy series of hagiographic historical tableaux.

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30

The New York Times Lawrence Van Gelder

That "The Keeper" was made by a novice is evident in the visible seams between the present-day narrative and the flashbacks; the whole thing plays like a loopy amalgam of stilted costume picture and after-school special.

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30

Washington Post Desson Thomson

The script's a plodder, and the acting's unbearably stilted. The movie's intentions are like the starry constellations that inspire the eponymous hero: out of reach.

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25

New York Post V.A. Musetto

The writing, acting and direction are so amateurish that the only thing you'll care about is escaping the theater.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Glenn J. gave it a9:
For every parent who wants their child to know that our civilization was helped through the brilliance of others. For every teacher who wants their students to learn to respect other cultures.

Darya T. gave it a10:
At the beginning I just followed my friends to support the independent film industry. After I watched it for the first time, I felt in love with the movie. I am a detail oriented person and love to watch movies, which keeps you busy to catch very small details and Kayvan packed it with so many details. After the show he added much more details to it by explaining about the cast and all the background thoughts, actions, struggles. This made me to go back twice to see the movie. For a film without Hollywood support, it was amazing to see such a perfection. To me Kayvan is a very talented young director and soon he will be very successful in his profession. I have a great respect for the people who are fighting for their passion! Thanks Kayvan & Co. You will have always my support!

Eiman Z. gave it a10:
A very well made movie. I commend Mr. Mashayekh and his moviemakers for creating such a well made movie. For a director's first film, this was impressive. I hope there will be more to come.

Majid B. gave it a10:
Takes you on amazing journey and delivers with a touching epic story. For a film of this magnitude to be Kayvan's first big screen is profoundly astonishing.

Gloria H. gave it a10:
The visual beauty of the costumes and the settings alone would be enough to make it well worth seeing. The film has an authentic feeling and true to life intimacy of the family scenes. I say Bravo!

Judy gave it a9:
This is what we think of as the triumph of the American entrepreneurial spirit. Strength, persistence, passion in the effort all show.

Claire A. gave it a10:
A great movie!! Everyone should see it.

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