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- 2021
- Music Box Films
- 1 h 44 m
- 2021
- Music Box Films
- 1 h 44 m
Summary A determined young Saudi doctor's surprise run for office in the local city elections sweeps up her family and community as they struggle to accept their town's first female candidate.
Directed By: Haifaa Al-Mansour
Written By: Brad Niemann, Haifaa Al-Mansour
- 2021
- Music Box Films
- 1 h 44 m
- 2021
- Music Box Films
- 1 h 44 m
The Perfect Candidate
71
5.6
Where to Watch
Summary A determined young Saudi doctor's surprise run for office in the local city elections sweeps up her family and community as they struggle to accept their town's first female candidate.
Directed By: Haifaa Al-Mansour
Written By: Brad Niemann, Haifaa Al-Mansour
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 20 Critic Reviews
71
85% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
15% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 20 Critic Reviews
71
85% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
15% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
What might not be apparent yet from my description of this explicitly political, nuanced, and angry film is that The Perfect Candidate is also a lot of fun. This is that rare, miraculous thing: a political crowdpleaser that doesn’t sand off its edges in an effort to be palatable.
Like Maryam’s approach to local politics, the film is well-meaning but occasionally naive.
Al Zahrani, making her screen debut, holds our interest by not holding her temper. Maryam is young enough to be impatient, traditional enough to play by the rules and realistic enough to see the futility of it all.
The movie’s lived-in acting and unhurried pace make it a better-than-palatable viewing experience.
What The Perfect Candidate lacks in sophistication it makes up for in intuition, entwining the longtime taboos of music (especially the female voice) and women's active participation in political life in a positive storyline.
The film’s aesthetic, understandably fused with its protagonist’s dogged can-do attitude, is both the source and limitation of its power.
At every step, Al Mansour feeds the audience exactly what she thinks will make them feel good about positive change in Saudi Arabia, setting up conflict and resolution with all the nuance of a by-the-numbers construction kit.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 5 User Ratings
5.6
60% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
20% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
20% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 5 User Ratings
5.6
60% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
20% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
20% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Awards
Malmö Arab Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Florida Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Venice Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
