Three thousand years of longing

 A black Genie?

Well, it worked for Will Smith. But a genie played by the usually dour Isdris Elba? 

But how about a grownup story about a nerdish professor of mythology who accidentally releases a genie? Tilda Swinton plays the part perfectly: Indeed the main reason I decided to watch the film was her tendency to play off beat parts.

After accidentally releasing the genie, they argue about wishes: She points out that usually wishes granted easily tend to go bad, and he answers her by telling her about previous owners of his wishes (whose wishes do seem to give happiness before ending in tragedy). 

I am not sure why I liked the film. Maybe because the plot was different: Although there was a genie, it wasn't a Marvel or Disney universe genie, nor a Hallmark type love story...and the stories told by the genie were.... different, albeit a bit depressing because ultimately the genie, who sought to give them wishes to make them happy, saw that his powers were futile to give them the happiness they wanted, and what he wanted (if he grants 3 wishes successfully, he gets his freedom).

The cinematography was beautiful, and although the lady professor was tart and intellectual, you end up liking and understanding her by the end of the film.

I usually post a trailer at this point, but both trailers on line miss the essence of the film's story, which is about longing, not special effects.

The theme song however does give you a hint of the melancholy searching for love that is the theme behind the film.

I give this a four out of four stars.