Film Review: “Shola Cohen, The Pearl” - Fouad Khoury
Based on real events, “Shola Cohen” is a self-titled film about the lead femme fatale. Shola, of Jewish descent, lives in Beirut in an area called “Wadi Abu Jmil”, known for its Jewish community. Using her beauty and charm, she runs an espionage ring for the Israeli Intelligence, right from Beirut.
Although it’s a mystery how, Shola “Cohen” manages to keep her religion a secret while mingling with government officials and requesting specific favors and secret information of them in return for exotic dancers and under-age escorts. Her “sophisticated” ways – as the DVD cover will have you believe – are a mixture of multilingual interventions, capricious behavior and many greasy lovers.
Throughout the film everyone seems to be talking about how “dangerous” the “situation” is while making only vague attempts at explaining the logistics of the espionage operation, giving viewers the feeling that they’re playing make-believe.
Running at an excruciating 123 mins, the film has the feel of a low budget made-for-TV movie with continuity mistakes, awkward transitions, sub-par lighting, clumsy dialogue and unimpressive acting. Not to mention the main actress’s wig that looks like it was borrowed from a drag-queen’s wardrobe.
If you manage to overlook the story, the lack of research and the cinematic language, you’re left with the set designs and wardrobe that have at least been more examined than the other components of the film and that give it the bit of credibility it retains.
Diane Farah
