Watch The Perfect Candidate

The Perfect Candidate is a 2019 Saudi Arabian drama film directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour. The movie follows the story of Maryam, a young doctor working in a hospital in a small Saudi Arabian town. Maryam is a talented and ambitious doctor, but she feels that she is held back by her gender in a society that is still deeply patriarchal.

One day, Maryam decides to run for a local election, hoping to bring positive change to her community. However, she quickly discovers that running for office as a woman is not as easy as she thought. She faces a lot of pushback and discrimination from the mostly male electorate, who are not used to seeing women in positions of power.

Despite the challenges, Maryam refuses to give up. She is determined to prove that she is capable and qualified, and that her gender should not be a barrier to her ambitions. With the help of her two sisters, Selma and Sara, Maryam launches a grassroots campaign, going door-to-door to speak to voters and trying to win their support.

The movie explores many themes that are relevant in contemporary Saudi Arabia. It touches on issues of gender inequality, political corruption, and the struggle for personal freedom and empowerment. The film also shows the beauty of Saudi culture and the warmth of its people, offering a nuanced view of a country that is often misunderstood by outsiders.

The performances of the cast are superb, particularly that of Mila Al Zahrani as Maryam. She brings a quiet strength and dignity to the role, embodying the spirit of a woman who refuses to be held back by the limitations placed on her by society. HGM Moe Ji One and Mohamed Othman also deliver excellent performances as Selma and Sara, respectively.

One of the most impressive aspects of The Perfect Candidate is the way in which it tackles its political themes. The movie does not shy away from critical commentary on the state of Saudi politics, highlighting the corruption and dysfunction that plague the country's political system. However, it does so without resorting to simplistic or heavy-handed messaging, instead allowing the story and characters to speak for themselves.

The cinematography and production design are also noteworthy, capturing the beauty and complexity of life in Saudi Arabia. The movie is filled with stunning shots of the desert landscape, bustling city streets, and traditional Saudi architecture, creating a vivid and immersive world for the characters to inhabit.

Overall, The Perfect Candidate is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that sheds light on important issues while still managing to be an engaging and entertaining drama. It is a testament to the talent and vision of director Haifaa Al-Mansour, who has once again proven herself to be one of the most important voices in contemporary Saudi cinema. Anyone interested in exploring the complexities of modern Saudi society should definitely make a point of seeing this outstanding film.

The Perfect Candidate is a 2021 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 71.