web statistics
Anonymous
Search
Search
Lindsey Lowson / 21 September 2024 / Categories: Movie and TV Shows, Movie

Anonymous

Historical Thriller who was the real William Shakespeare?

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.

_

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.

Print
Rate this snoop:
No rating yet
125
Rant Or RaveRave
ProsThe acting
ConsTough to follow
Websitewww.imdb.com/title/tt1521197/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Lindsey LowsonLindsey Lowson

Other snoops by Lindsey Lowson
Contact snooper
Comments are only visible to subscribers.

Contact author

Please solve captcha
x

Report this content

Please select the reason for reporting this snoop.


notification icon
Would you like to receive latest news and info?
Copyright 2024 by Poopsnoop Terms Of Use Privacy Statement
Back To Top