Sphinx

Call me a drippy romantic but Frank Langella, dancing eyes and all, is great in this movie. He captures the ideal of a darkly romantic mystery man with intelligence and humor. My only complaint is Lesley-Anne Down's shrieks--for an avowed Egyptolgist you'd think she'd be used to dark, dusty & dirty places. The plot, which causes Down to question her pride, self-esteem and morality when tempted with revealing centuries-old secrets, is straight forward and uncomplicated. The scenery of the desert, Cairo, and the pyramids is lush and lovely and the "comic relief," even though it comes with an "I just knew that would happen," twist is fun and charming. If you'd just like to watch a picturesque, romantic adventure with no socially redeeming features getting in the way, watch this.