The Rivals
The Rivals

Movie spotlight

The Rivals

2004
Movie
147 min
English

Romantic havoc ensues in the town of Bath when Sir Anthony arrives to arrange the marriage of his son Captain Jack Absolute to the wealthy Lydia Languish. Jack and Lydia are already in love, but because of Lydia's obsession with romantic novels, Jack has disguised himself as a poor officer named Ensign Beverly and he is only one of Lydia's many suitors.

Insights

Director: Saeed Al-BatatyGenres: Drama, Romance, Sport

Plot Summary

Set against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia, 'The Rivals' tells the story of a young man named Sultan who dreams of becoming a professional football player. He faces numerous challenges, including familial expectations and the competitive nature of the sport, as he strives to achieve his goal. The film explores themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the pursuit of passion in a society with evolving traditions.

Critical Reception

While specific critical reviews and audience scores for 'The Rivals' are not widely documented in international databases, the film was noted as an early example of Saudi Arabian cinema attempting to tackle contemporary themes and sports narratives. Its release marked a step in the growing cinematic output from the region.

What Reviewers Say

  • Explores the challenges faced by aspiring athletes in Saudi Arabia.

  • Highlights themes of personal ambition versus societal expectations.

  • An early example of Saudi cinema focusing on sports drama.

Google audience: Audience reception information for 'The Rivals' is not readily available through standard Google user reviews.

Fun Fact

As an early Saudi film focusing on football, 'The Rivals' was part of a nascent wave of productions aiming to reflect modern Saudi life and aspirations.

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