"Sahib El-Maqam" or "The Enshrined Saint" is a generally well-crafted film, but it falls short of the acclaim it has received. The concept, while decent, lacks sufficient originality, and many actors have not been tested adequately in their artistic capabilities.
The script is an unremarkable imitation of Wahid Hamed's work, reminiscent of a blend between "Dam El-Ghazal" (Gazelle Blood), "Del El-Samka" (Fish's Tail), and "Maaley El-Wazir" (His Excellency the Minister), with their respective actors updated to suit contemporary contexts. Amina Khalil, the lead actress, is absent for much of the film. Additionally, Yousra's casting as "Ruh" represents a significant miscasting; her portrayal of both a security guard and a famous veiled woman in a long dress and her appearance in a white coat lacks credibility. Her appearance as a passenger on a minibus in a popular neighborhood is similarly unconvincing.
In several scenes, Yasser Yassin's performance is marked by contrivance, while Bayoumi Fouad's contribution defies simple description. He epitomizes the pursuit of monetary gain from any role, resulting in a dull and lacking in-depth performance.
The remainder of the cast, or guest stars, delivered their performances within the limits of the producer's budget. Mando El-Adl attempted to capture the styles of directors Mohamed Yassin and Sherif Arafa but fell short of mastering the craft.
The cinematography made commendable efforts to enhance the visual appeal lacking in the simplistic script, and the music also played a supportive role. The concept and themes are somewhat reminiscent of the series "Seroh El-Bateh" (The Secret of the Enigmatic One), which experienced significant failure during Ramadan 2023.
The dialogue is insufficiently robust, and the film's concept could have yielded more compelling and enriching developments. This potential for deeper exploration and development in the film's narrative is intriguing. The production, while not deficient, was neither generous nor extravagant. In conclusion, the film merits a modest 6 out of 10 and does not warrant significant hype. The omission of Yousra's name from the credits is inconsequential and does not elevate her to leading actress status.
