One Night with the King

Those hankering for a good biblical fix could do worse than watching a hottie like Queen Esther (Dupont)—who keeps her Jewish heritage on the DL—defy sweaty, powerful men all over Persia. True to Scripture if not exactly poignantly scripted, this tale follows the Jerusalem-bound young woman’s unexpected pit stop at the palace of King Xerxes (Goss). When a corrupting citizen also in line for the crown whispers plans to slaughter all neighboring Jews, Esther risks her life by revealing her Semitic identity. This too-long saga still manages to be modestly beautiful. (Opens Fri; AMC Empire 25.)—Cherie Dennis