Watch The Sheltering Sky

The Sheltering Sky is a poignant and visually stunning film adaptation of the classic novel by Paul Bowles. Set in the 1940s, the movie follows a married couple, Port and Kit Moresby, played by John Malkovich and Debra Winger, who travel to North Africa with their friend, Tunner (Campbell Scott). The three of them are seeking adventure and escape from their mundane lives in America, but as they journey deeper into the Sahara Desert, they find themselves increasingly detached from the world and the people they left behind. While they encounter various characters along the way, including a young prostitute, a French expatriate, and a Tuareg nomad, it becomes clear that their travels are less about discovering new things and more about losing themselves in the vastness of the desert.

The film beautifully captures the stark beauty of the African landscape, with sweeping shots of rolling sand dunes and ancient ruins. The music, composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, is hauntingly beautiful and enhances the dreamlike quality of the film. Malkovich and Winger deliver powerful performances as a troubled couple whose relationship is strained by their mutual dissatisfaction with their lives and their inability to connect with each other.

As the film progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that Port and Kit are not simply on a journey of self-discovery, but are rather on a collision course with their own mortality. The theme of death permeates the film, from the barren and hostile environment of the desert to the constant presence of illness and disease. As Port succumbs to a mysterious illness, Kit is forced to confront her own mortality and the fragility of life.

The Sheltering Sky is a powerful and poignant film that delves deep into the human psyche and the transformative power of travel. It is a beautifully crafted film that will leave a lasting impression on viewers long after the credits roll.

Overall, The Sheltering Sky is a timeless masterpiece, a tragic exploration of human nature, and one of the best cinematic adaptations of a classic novel. It is a haunting and evocative film that will transport you to a place both beautiful and terrifying, and leave you pondering the beauty and the futility of human existence.

The Sheltering Sky is a 1990 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.