The cinematography and acting are top level. However the writing is a bit all over the place, and some of the lines are kind of hokey. Basically it's similar to Lawrence of Arabia but with a more interesting plot.

Terrific drama about the beginning of the oil period in Arabia. One nation (with oil) seeks money and prospers, the other (without oil) becomes ever more involved in fundamentalism, rejecting not only modern excesses but anything modern - even medicines. Mark Strong and Tahar Rahim are brilliant in this rather original setting. One of the better surprises of the year so far...

could be a much better movie but missed it so terribly that it makes me sad...almost English Patient level production ruined by dreadful script and WTF directing moments

What a hokey, embarrassing piece of junk, I just couldn't take it seriously. The film seemed much disengaged with itself, opening "somewhere" in Arabia only to shift its story God knows how many "years later". The script is downright awful and ranks among the most unintentionally hilarious writing this side of children aimed reenacments. Key elements such as the characters suffer from a great lack of depth as a result. A total joke.