The problem with Proteus is that the issues tend to overwhelm the story, and one is never fully engaged in the narrative.
Comment
08/19/05
Proteus (2003)
29
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:17
Fresh:5
Rotten:12
Average Rating:4.6/10
Theatrical Release:Jul 30, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: An historical drama based on the true story of a homosexual love affair in South Africa during the 18th Century, PROTEUS unfolds within the confines of a Cape Town penal colony. Rijkhaart Jacobsz... [More]
Starring: Tessa Jubber, Rouxnet Brown, Brett Goldin
Director: John Greyson, Jack Lewis
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Reviews for Proteus
1 - 17 (sorted by date)
Grounded by the stark physicality of the location and the emotional charge generated by those prison-bound passions (Jean Genet would have approved).
08/19/05
Top CriticClick to read the article
02/13/05
Frankly steamed sex scenes spice the film from John Greyson and Jack Lewis, gaining it entry to gay festivals but only momentarily rousing it from the fetid doldrums of a fatiguingly 'instructive' story.
11/12/04
The biggest failing of the movie is that it focuses on the scientific experiments and the facts of the case instead of the emotion of the situation.
11/12/04
Problematic on almost all levels.
11/05/04
An intelligently rendered film (shot on video) that doesn't seek to make its central characters overtly sympathetic even as it stresses the human rights so thoughtlessly or deliberately denied them.
08/27/04
Involving and affecting even if it is not completely coherent or fully realized.
08/26/04
Top CriticCarries an air of forced-wit experimentation that never quite gets its anachronisms in order.
08/26/04
Clearly attempting to make the story relevant for contemporary times, they use a variety of stylistic devices that serves to have the opposite effect, distancing us from a story that might have been far more compelling if rendered in a direct fashion.
08/05/04
Top CriticThe historical specificity of this real-life episode is constantly challenged by the filmmakers' fanciful use of 1960s anachronisms but these postmodern touches never detract from what is at heart a deeply moving love story.
07/30/04
The movie's pretty much a stinker.
07/30/04
Top CriticA challenging, flawed look at a little-known slice of history.
07/30/04
Top CriticA heavy, pretentious and derivative film.
07/29/04
Top Critic... the story of lust, love and betrayal intriguingly bemoans racism and prejudice of bygone times while peppering the 'history' with more modern references ...
07/29/04
Homophobia and hyprocisy, history and legend, racism and jealousy, cruelty and love all figure in -- and prove too much.
07/29/04
Script doesn't sufficiently fill in the blanks left by historical record regarding the personalities involved, which robs the central relationship of emotional (let alone tragic) depth.
07/13/04
Top Critic1 - 17 (sorted by date)
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