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The Sheltering Sky Movie Review Summary

Actors: John Malkovich, Debra Winger

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Sheltering Sky


An American couple (Malkovich and Winger) journeys to Tangier, Morocco, accompanied by a friend of theirs (Scott), in the hopes of rekindling their marriage. They go on a trip through northern Africa that takes them deep into the Sahara Desert. Because of a falling out between the spouses, Malkovich leaves the hotel, encounters a prostitute and has sex with her. The next morning Scott knocks on the door of the sleeping quarters of Winger and because she doesn't want him to know her husband stayed out all night, she unmakes his bed, making it look like he slept there. At that moment Malkovich comes walking in, sees the unmade bed and assumes his wife of having an affair with Scott. Malkovich tries to get him out of the way by making other travel arrangements for him to their next destination. In the process he loses his passport and in going to get a new one in the next town, contracts typhoid, from which he dies. With both men gone, his wife is now left to her own devices. She wanders off into the desert and is saved by a Tuareg caravan. The leader of the caravan takes her to a guest house, where she is held captive (consentingly), disguised as a boy, and begins an affair with her. His wives find out and she has to leave. Getting more and more disoriented, she is brought back to Tangiers by American embassy personnel. Scott is supposedly waiting there for her, but she wanders off into the city instead of going to meet him.
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Best part of story, including ending: The story is beautifully photographed by Vittorio Storaro and well-told by Bernardo Bertolucci. The whole atmosphere of the movie is amazing.

Best scene in story: The scenes where Malkovich is dying and where Winger is held captive by the Tuareg.

Opinion about the main character: I found the relationship with their friend (Scott) confusing, as they don't treat him very nicely, not like you would a friend, to my understanding anyway.

The review of this Movie prepared by Benten a Level 8 Sooty Shearwater scholar

Script Analysis of The Sheltering Sky

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of movie:    -   1930's-1950's Romance/Love/Hugging    -   Yes Married, fooling around?    -   Yes

Main Character

Identity:    -   Female Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White American

Setting

Africa    -   Yes Kind of Africa:    -   Arabic Africa Misc setting    -   resort/hotel

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment Sex/nudity in movie?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   kissing    -   touching of personal anatomy Any profanity?    -   Occasional swearing

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