Anonymous

Directed by Roland Emmerlich I was surprised to read this 2012 film was a commercial flop at the box office. I would definitely watch it again.

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This movie begins with Derek Jacobi narrating in a New York theatre a play about to begin and then cuts to a young Ben Johnston playwright, being chased through the streets carrying a load of precious manuscripts.

The story centres around Edward De Vere the 17th The Earl Of Oxford played by Rhys Ifans and the story alludes through a series of complex twists and turns that he could be the real author of the plays attributed to William Shakespeare who in this version of events is an illiterate drunken scallywag actor merely taking the credit for the work to allow the real author whose powerful father in law William Cecil Secretary of State, privy council and most important minister to Elizabeth 1st 1558 keeps him on a tight and very strict leash.

Not well received at the box office but I loved it even though I did find I had to really concentrate. For two reasons the film flashes between a young Elizabeth played by Joely Richardson and an old Elizabeth played by Vanessa Redgrave, the acting from an all star cast is exceptional; however as this is a tale of infidelity, intrigue and incest, throw in the two queens, the time line swapping between years earlier, Elizabeth’s affairs, her relationship with Robert Devereaux the 2nd Earl of Essex right through to his execution 1601, and of course many of the chosen actors all looking alike, as they would as the story alleges many of the cast of characters are related due to the bed hopping of the time, it can be difficult to follow in places and I would definitely watch it again.

The version of events presented was certainly eye opening and for me plausible when you imagine the wealth of knowledge, education and experience you might require in the mid 16th century to imagine Hamlet or Macbeth, Midsummer Nights dream Hermia or 12th Nights Viola.

Personally I think the poor reviews are limited and sure you might have to concentrate a little more when you watch but that didn’t make it a terrible movie for me.

If you like historical drama, a story you’ve not heard before, fantastically acted and can discern who’s who across a floating timeline of old and young characters it’s an amazing film I will definitely watch again. Welsh actor Rhys Ifans who normally plays a supporting role bafoon type character plays the lead here and magnificently so.