The Perfect Candidate (2019) User Reviews

Another winner from Saudi director Haifaa al-Mansour

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 27 May 2021]

As "The Perfect Candidate" (2019 release from Saudi Arabia; 101 min.) opens, we see a women driving her car to work. Turns out she is Dr. Maryam, working in the emergency room of a new hospital, with its access road not even paved and full of mud. Dr. Maryam then wants to attend a medical conference in Dubai, but her travel permit is about to expire and she needs to renew it. Along the way, by happenstance she files the paperwork to become a candidate for the municipal council, and she and her two strong-willed sisters go to work... At this point we are less than 15 min. Into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest film from Saudi director Haifaa al-Mansour. Her directing debut was 2012's "Wadjda", which was an unexpected but sensational critical AND commercial success (within the art-house theater circuit of course). After directing two more conventional Western films (Mary Shelley; Nappily Ever After), she returns to her Saudi roots to being a new tale of female empowerment in impossible circumstances. The idea of a young professional woman running for a seat on the municipal council is as inconceivable as was the notion of a young girl wanting to ride a bike (the main theme of "Wadjda"). In that sense, "The Perfect Candidate" is a logical companion film to "Wadjda". The film also gives us a rare inside glimpse of what day-to-day looks like in a place like Saudi Arabia. It is difficult to phantom for us, I'm afraid. Ultimately "The Perfect Candidate" is another plea for a kinder, more just, more equal Saudi Arabia, and Haifaa al-Mansour is to be commended for bringing us these films. (Of course, the film is not really intended for consumption in Saudi Arabia, a country that until 2018 didn't have a single movie theater. That is very slowly starting to change.) Bottom line: "The Perfect Candidate" is not the 9 star diamond that was "Wadjda", but it is a solid 7 star film, period.

"The Perfect Candidate" premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival, yes almost 2 years ago. Then this week, it opened out of the blue at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, somewhat to my surprise. The Wednesday early evening screening where I saw this at was attended so-so (4 people in total). Doesn't matter. I am quite certain that this movie will find a larger audience once it starts streaming on various platforms and also is released on DVD/Blu-ray. If you have any interest in what life is like for women in Saudi-Arabia, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Haifaa al-Mansour

[yusufpiskin · 8/10 · 18 February 2021]

Haifaa al-Mansour is the greatest director of our generation. this is the second film of Haifaa al-Mansour that I've seen after her first debut film Wadjda which I've watched it back at Istanbul Film Festival. It's also the second Saudi Arabian Film that I've seen so far. Haifaa is one of the emerging director came out from Saudi Arabia. She has the distinctive authenticated voice to express herself and society in Saudi in her films.

The Perfect Candidate is another compelling and moving film about Woman Empowerment in the conservative society. It is well produced film. like how the main protagonist is portrayed as the strong optimistic woman who is resistance, stubborn, won't give up easily regardless of her prejudice patriarchic community in Saudi Arabia. I like the climax of the film. It is not a cliche happy ending but rather a subtle hopeful ending which opens up the discussion about feminism in our society.

Entertaining With Interesting Education On Saudi Arabian Culture

[HenryOrlando · 8/10 · 12 August 2020]

I found this film via the Florida Film Festival in 2020 as a feature film listing. I found the film to be both an entertaining film as well from the perspective of today's Saudi Arabian culture in general and issues for Saudi women in particular quite educational. A plus in the movie was the focus on the Saudi musicians and singers who were playing live gigs that have recently been allowed by the government in Saudi Arabia. I found the film well worth my time.

A move forward for everyone

[graham-harvey · 6/10 · 17 November 2021]

This film is not brilliant, but its worth checking out.

Its also worth checking out all the other reviews for this movie here on IMDB... clearly, a few are very threatened of change that a movie like this can help to create. Some of the reviewers say that the film has no accuracy to reality, but anyone who knows a thing or two sees the news such as 'Saudi women now allowed to drive" or the joke photo of the women's rights conference in SA attended by only men!

This film is a gentle examination of an educated women who wishes to improve things for all. What would make it better, is if it were true & if she had won. A Saudi female President or Prime Minister, that would be a great theme for a movie too. Or all those Saudi male leaders in therapy, while their wives run things for a while!

One of the best films of 2019 and the decade

[outdoorcats · 1 November 2020]

Perhaps you've watched too many bleak and depressing films recently and you need a palate cleanser. A film that just radiates positive and idealistic energy, a story that doesn't need to result in literal triumph to feel positively triumphant.

This is Wadjda director Al-Mansour's return to Saudi Arabia after going abroad to make Mary Shelley and Nappily Ever After, and it is an absolute joy from start to finish. I am utterly in love with this film and the headstrong, defiant and no-nonsense spirit of its heroine. I laughed out loud several times at the surprising amount of comedy the film mines from patriarchy and sexism. I adored the film's myriad humanist touches and the intelligent characterization of all of its supporting characters. I didn't want this story to end, but I can hardly fault the incredibly emotional final scene and the actual chef's kiss of a final shot, one of the best parting shots of the decade.

Just see this damn movie!

Good, not great

[elision10 · 7/10 · 19 October 2023]

This is a pleasant, heartwarming film, and certainly a nice way to spend an hour-and-a-half. But it's also thoroughly predictable. The characters all do pretty much what you expect them to. As such, the movie lacks any real dramatic tension. The misogyny displayed is of the mild variety, and one imagines that the societal conflicts portrayed can be far more severe than what we see here. I wouldn't say it's impossibly sunny, but Saudi society is seen through a rather cheery lens. The acting as well is not distinguished: the performances are just adequate. But the lead character is a stunner; viewing her is a pleasure, even in the most conservative of clothes.

A tribute to women and determination

[maximefo · 9/10 · 25 May 2021]

I watched The Perfect Candidate because I had previously enjoyed very much Wadja and I was not disappointed. The story is simple and touching, inviting the spectator to understand how gender dynamics work in Saudi Arabia. It is also a call for a more open society, embracing women's contribution to medicine, politics and music.

An ok movie

[Jonah_R · 5/10 · 6 March 2020]

First of all I must say that to a certain extent this movie gives you an interesting look at a different part of the world, how people live there and what kind of problems they need to face. But sadly this is where the positive aspects end in my opinion.

This movie is about Maryam, a young Saudi-Arabian doctor who wants to run for the office in the local city elections but she has to struggle with a lot while the community does not accept her as their town's first female candidate. So we can see how women in different parts of the world live and with what kinds of problems they have to deal to be taken seriously in their workspace or the regular life.

Sadly the story itself is pretty boring and predictable. After like 20-30 minutes you can say how this movie ends and the build up for the climax is too long. The movie also couldn't really reach me emotionally due to the actors, because I wasn't able to sympathize with them. And when you finally reach the point where the movie actually gets a little bit exciting, the movie has almost ended. The cinamtography and the score were ok, but nothing great.

In the end I would still say that this is a movie you can definitly watch once, simply to get a different look at the world and maybe you can even enjoy the movie, because I'm sure that this movie can give hope to someone. But sadly this movie didn't work for me.

Beautiful film

[ceca-65576 · 9/10 · 5 March 2020]

The film full of gentleness, support, beautiful women outside and inside and good music. We may have rare oportunity to see on screen how people in Saudi Arabia live and how women fight to be recognized just as always in this world. The audience at the film festival in Belgrade applauded after the film ended. Definitely worth seeing.

Cute movie about the new norms in KSA

[regneri · 5/10 · 20 December 2020]

The plot is about a doctor who simply wants to have the main road to her clinic paved, in order to do so she runs for a local political office. Of course this being the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, historically women are not to be seen nor heard. Recnetly, a multitude of changes have come to the kingdom all due to one man, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Rather surprisingly, the movie starts out with the main character, Dr. Maryam Alsafa, driving her car on her own! Women driving alone in a car was unheard of until very recently, so for the director showing a female driving without any controversy speaks volumes. The main character played by Mila Al Zahrani is very comfortable behind the camera and the camera loves her. This is a really positive movie that illustrates how quickly Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has brought his kingdom into the 21st century. I cant help but see the parallels between the characters father, and the Crown Prince. Its nice to see the strides made in the treatment of women, also in the way musicians are being given places in the open to perform music. Of course the kingdom has a way to go in its treatment of non Muslims, immigrants, and animal rights, and the director shows that Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has done so much in such a short time already, and the future is boundless for his kingdom.

Review

[brockfal · 8/10 · 15 July 2021]

This is another impressive film by the Director of 'wadja' again focusing on the female experience in modern Saudi Arabia, specifically, a doctor who decides to run for political office in her local town. It's really absorbing and interesting, and beautifully done all round with super performances. Cultural insights abound here, as well as understated criticisms of what's portrayed as a highly misogynistic society, but the film also features some great music. Ignore the negative reviews, Saudi's shouldn't flinch.....this deserves a wide audience.

Waste of time

[alhudaithyb · 1/10 · 15 May 2020]

You will wish you were bland after watching this garbage

Haifaa al-Mansour is the greatest director of our generation.

[mehobulls · 8/10 · 19 February 2021]

Better to perform than conform! I'm really fond of Al-Mansour's smooth style of protest drama portraying bold and profound female protagonists who raise a voice against the calloused cultural concerns in Saudi Arabia to spark a debate upon the strict patriarchal mindset. She paves an undulating yet bright path of possibility leading toward tolerance and acceptance by deconstructing sexist tradition of theocracy.

Another Bad film for Hayfa

[Salmanymohd · 1/10 · 11 August 2020]

So this is another film added to her list, After watching this film you'll Realize that film festivals selections are biased towards certain names, and this director is one of them. She lacks talent and vision all the issues that she focused on are being waved in Saudi Arabia women rights movement in the kingdom is recognized by all. The movie lacks consistency, characters are poorly written and there is no clear plot, Cinematography is average similar to a film school project basic lighting with no feeling. The dialogue is poorly written, delivering the massage with dialogue is not a mistake made by so far experienced director. The actors are emotionless no effort done by the director to control them. Spoon feeding is not cinema With the budget spent on this film at least 3 female Saudi directors could produce 3 worth watching films.

I liked this film

[one_day_there · 9/10 · 19 June 2020]

This is a good film. The people in it are likeable, the story is good. It made me feel good watching it.

Remarkable

[mota-tati-312-795493 · 10/10 · 26 January 2020]

I really appreciated to see what the lives of women can look like now in the kingdom and hope we can all be inspired by the braveness of the women from Saudi Arabia.

One of the worst move ever

[muflihdhafer · 1/10 · 28 September 2020]

Starting from medical error to week & bad scenario. The main actress is crabbed and leak of experience. Movie is full of things that is not happened in real life in Saudi Arabia like the local news in radio, Security inspection before party, gathered election information from internet while we have a full info for that in Saudi. My rating is 1/10

Hope for the future!

[treja-81494 · 10/10 · 1 February 2020]

Such a beautiful film. Good impression on 'the hope of the fute' / quote old man in the film' FCC

Good movie

[rawadfadhil · 10/10 · 29 August 2019]

Such a good movie to watch. I hope to see more productions from them soon.

bad drama movie

[ALSHEHRI_A10 · 1/10 · 21 March 2021]

A very bad drama movie that falsely depicts society. The story was not good, this movie was poorly directed, due to a bad story of false and false facts. The actors' performance is very rudimentary. Actors are considered rookies despite their long years in this field. The Saudi people are educated. They enroll in local and international universities. I don't understand why they portray society in such a bad way.

.The film depicts the Saudi people in the ugliest images. He described everything in this great country as passive and unconscious. The film presented an image of a primitive Gypsy state that was not cultured and developed, the fact that the Saudi people are a cultured, educated, fighter, tolerant, generous, compassionate and compassionate people. I don't understand why they portray society in this way. Why do they seek to offend him with lies and slander? What we should know is that not everyone who belongs to the world of theater and cinema deserves this place. They are less than beginners. They are in the wrong place. The performers, script, and directors are very poor. There is nothing more ridiculous than this movie

Khalid abdulrahman abo naif

[qosai_alorany · 5/10 · 23 April 2024]

I read name of my best singer khaled abdulrahman at cast of the film, for this reason I decided watching this bad movie but I discovered he is not excite at the film!!!

So I complete it until the ending but to be honest with you I lost 1:30 hour of my time

There is no story no plot no events sequences no events make you pay attention to know what the coming scenes

Therefore I watched whole it to recover my memories in riyadh and jeddah

I love the Saudi people

I love their traditional black clothes

In the begging I thought the main actress character is Om Samel lol reem abdullah ..

Thank you.