The autobiography of a Somalian nomad who was sold in marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation.
Written and directed by German filmmaker Sherry Hormann, it works as well as it does because of the performances she's drawn from a solid cast.
– John Hartl,
Seattle Times,
31 Mar 2011
rotten:
It has a compelling message and surrounds it with biopic scenes that appear to be brought in from a different kind of movie. The effect is rather unsettling.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
31 Mar 2011
fresh:
Waris Dirie is an inspiration, inside and out, and so is this movie.
– Rex Reed,
New York Observer,
23 Mar 2011
rotten:
The broad comedy clashes with the movie's final message.
– Mark Jenkins,
NPR,
18 Mar 2011
fresh:
"Desert Flower," a well-made film that depicts the remarkable life of the model Waris Dirie, manages to be both a classic feel-good story and about as far from a feel-good story as you can get.