You may think you know where the story goes from here but it veers into a much more interesting narrative. It’s more about The Djinn’s (Idris Elba) story and how he came to be trapped in the bottle. Few actors have the gravitas vocally as Elba and it’s used to great effect as he spins his tale.

As the story expands you find the loneliness that The Djinn has experienced being trapped in the bottle for centuries is equally matched by Alithea’s emotionally spartan existence. They argue about the value and consequences of the three wishes and her reticence to expand on her inner feelings.

After Alithea voices her wish the story relocates to Mother England for the final reel. When the final scene plays out you will find that her inner core has been expanded in a way that you didn’t expect. Counter to the film’s trailer this is a more personal endeavour than a splashy special effects-driven bonanza.
Rob Hudson
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This presents two problems. First, she doubts that he is real and second, because she is a scholar of story and mythology, she knows all the cautionary tales of wishes gone wrong. The Djinn pleads his case by telling her fantastical stories of his past. Eventually she is beguiled and makes a wish that surprises them both.

Three Thousand Years of Longing is directed by George Miller and stars Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton.

Three Thousand Years of Longing is coming to Australian cinemas on September 1 2022.

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