Queen of the Desert

The life of adventurer Gertrude Bell is explored in Werner Herzog's drama, starring Nicole Kidman as the British aristocrat who undertakes an incredible journey as she travels to far-flung reaches of the British Empire. With beautiful camerawork and a more than capable cast, this should have all the makings of a hit in the mould of Lawrence of Arabia. Sadly, that promise is undermined by a lack of direction, leaving us to navigate the story like a tourist without a map. Kidman has elegance to spare, and shares the screen with interesting co-stars. The script's penchant for melodrama lets her and her colleagues down, however, meaning there isn't much for the talent to do other than stare soulfully into the dunes. Despite moments of genuine beauty (it was filmed in Jordan and Morocco), Queen of the Desert offers too much drudgery and not enough heart - a crime given the real-life story it draws upon.