Film Review: One Night With the King

Latest Esther Movie Inspires in "One Night With the King"
Lisa Rice ,Contributing Writer
source: Crosswalk


Release Date: October 13, 2006
Rating: PG (for violence, some sensuality and thematic elements)
Genre: Drama/History/Action
Run Time: 115 min.
Director: Michael O. Sajbel
Actors: Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, Luke Goss, John
Noble, Tommy Lister, James Callis, Jonah Lotan, Tiffany Dupont.

Since 1913, Hollywood has produced at least nine movies about the
biblical Esther, but perhaps the most intriguing – and doubtless the
most expensive – is the Esther movie hitting theaters this weekend.
Produced by "Omega Code's" Matt and Laurie Crouch of Gener8Xion
Entertainment, Inc., "One Night with the King" does a laudable job
telling the timeless, inspiring story of a young girl's bravery amidst
treachery, scandal, and genocide.



Based on the Tommy Tenney's novel, "Hadassah: One Night with the
King," the movie portrays beautiful Esther (Tiffany Dupont), a Jewish
orphan girl who is rounded up, along with others, to basically
audition – on her "night with the king" for the newly vacated role of
Xerxes' queen. Little does she know, however, that Haman the Agagite
(James Callis), the jealous and powerful high official of King Xerxes
(Ahasuerus) of Persia (485-464 B.C.), has determined to destroy, in a
single day, all the Jews living in the Persian Empire.

Haman is moved to genocide out of hatred for the Jews, especially
Esther's uncle Mordecai (John Rhys-Davies), whose single-minded
devotion to God prevents him from rendering homage to man. The day of
the proposed massacre is determined by lot and signed into law.
Meanwhile, the bright and witty Esther is chosen queen by King Xerxes
in place of Vashti. She quickly finds that her new role will not
simply be to live as a pampered queen with a handsome king (Luke
Goss), but rather could be to save her people from total annihilation.
She will have to draw upon the Scripture hidden in her heart – as well
as bravery and cleverness – if she is to avert the pogrom planned
against her people and have the royal decree of extermination reversed
against Haman and the enemies of the Jews.

"One Night with the King" was shot entirely on location in Rajasthan –
India 's own "Land of the Kings," in a palace where a typical room
measures 250' x 150', with 65' ceilings. To put it in perspective,
the king's bedroom is larger than the Capitol building in Washington,
D.C. The cinematography and special effects are stunning and include
massive, breathtaking, multi-story waterfalls pouring down from
openings on either side of a colossal drawbridge.

There's nothing skimpy about the acting, either. Peter O'Toole, Omar
Sharif, and John Rhys-Davies add the class and credibility of an epic,
and newcomer Tiffany Dupont is charming and refreshing as the
sharp-minded Esther. Chosen for the role out of 2,500 women who
auditioned worldwide, Tiffany was spotted by producers at Calvary
Chapel Church in Los Angeles. Jack Redford composed the moving music
score, which includes moving segments from the Russian Philharmonic.

"One Night With the King" is worth seeing just for the palace,
effects, music score, and acting, but the true takeaway is the story.
The film opens with a flashback to the time when King Saul refused to
obey God and utterly destroy every man, woman, child, and beast of the
Amalekite army. Saul spared the king and his pregnant queen, who
managed to escape. Her offspring became the Agagites (including
Haman), a fierce, Jew-hating tribe bent on avenging themselves against
the Jews. According to author and teacher Kay Arthur (Precept
Ministries International), the Amalekites always symbolize the flesh,
and when the flesh is not utterly destroyed, the devastating
ramifications will be far-reaching.

The most important lesson in "King," however, is the sense of destiny
and purpose God has for those who are willing to undergo the scourge
of tribulation and the fire of delayed answers. Esther was an orphan
who was obedient and faithful to her uncle and her God, and because
she drew upon all that had been planted in her soul since childhood on
the day of reckoning, she changed the destiny of a nation.

The only element of the story that competes with the inspirational
lessons is the sub-plot of the eunuchs. It's made clear that Jewish
boys were also captured and forcefully castrated to be placed in the
king's service, and such gruesomeness happens to Esther's good friend,
Jesse (Jonah Lotan). Thankfully, nothing is shown onscreen, but the
theme is disturbing enough to possibly overshadow the story's
uplifting elements.

Another caution is that the plot can be complicated at times, and
families would do well to go over the Bible story – even with their
teenage children – before seeing the movie. Despite these drawbacks,
however, the timeless story and breathtaking scenes of the palace do
make up for the movie's imperfections. "One Night with the King"
should have high appeal to adults and older children of many cultures
and faiths.

AUDIENCE: Adults, teens and mature children


CAUTIONS:

Drugs/Alcohol: None
Language: None
Sex: None, except the sub-plot of the eunuchs. Nothing is shown, but
the message is clear that Jewish boys were captured and forcefully
castrated to be placed in the king's service. The theme could be
disturbing to children and younger teens.
Violence: Genocide plans formulated, including the forceful rounding
up of Jews; warfare depicted with Amalekites; Haman knocks out
Mordecai, etc.