Titus
3.5/4
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Colm Feore, Harry Lennix, Angus Macfayden, Alan Cumming, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Matthew Rhys, Laura Fraser, James Frain
Rated R for Strong Violent and Sexual Images
Although "Titus Andronicus" was William Shakespeare's most popular play when he was alive, it eventually fell out of favor (to the point where some doubted that it was actually written by The Bard). It wasn't until Laurence Olivier played the part in a 1955 production that it gained favor again.
"Titus," as made by Broadway director Julie Taymor in her film debut, is like "Hamlet" on steroids. It's a raw, violent and bloody tale of murder and revenge. In fact, some of what happens is straight out of a horror movie. For those who think that Shakespeare is dry and dull, you'll change you mind after watching "Titus."
Titus Andronicus (Hopkins) is a beloved Roman general back from war with the Goths. He has three captives: Tamora (Lange), the queen, her three sons, Alarbus (Raz Degan), Chiron (Meyers) and Demetrius (Rhys) and Aaron the Moor (Lennix). For religious reasons, Titus kills Alarbus as a sacrifice to the gods causing a grief-stricken Tamora to vow revenge. Titus is welcomed home by Rome, and asked to become the new emperor by his brother, Marcus (Feore). Titus declines, instead throwing his favor behind Saturninus (Cumming). As a gesture of thanks, he selects Titus' daughter Lavinia (Fraser) to be his wife. Unfortunately, she's already engaged to Bassianus (Frain), so he chooses Tamora instead. The now-Empress is in a perfect position to punish Titus for the death of her son, and she does so with relish.
This sounds totally Shakespearean, and it is. The plot is twisty and tragic and has a high body count. Taymor doesn't revel in the blood, but she's not coy either. It's not as unique or gripping as some of the Bard's other plays, like "Hamlet" or "The Taming of the Shrew," but it's definitely entertaining nonetheless.
It seems that William Shakespeare is able to bring out the best in an actor. Anthony Hopkins gives a terrific performance as the title character. With every rise, there is certain to be a fall, and few are as tragic as Titus's. This is well-balanced portrayal, despite the fact that Hopkins was so miserable during filming that he considered retiring from acting (he also flipped off the camera after filming his last scene). Considering the character, I suppose it's inevitable that we are reminded of his most famous character, Hannibal Lecter, and while they're fundamentally different, the connection adds another dimension to his performance. Jessica Lange, in her first time performing Shakespeare either on film or on stage, is perfectly vicious as Tamora. She talks sweet, but she's one cold bitch. Hell hath no woman scorned, indeed! Colm Feore, a Canadian actor whose considerable talents are constantly overlooked, is in fine form as well as Marcus, who watches his brother's self-destruction with a sense of resignation. There isn't a weak link in the supporting cast (although Laura Fraser has a few stiff moments), but special mention has to go to Harry Lennix as Aaron. Tamora is the main antagonist, but the real villain is the Moor. Posing as a friend to all, the Moor sets out to destroy everyone. "If one good deed in all my life I did, I do repent it from my very soul," he says. And he means it!
To say that Taymor's vision of the play is "out there" is to understate matters. This is an extremely weird and visually kinetic interpretation of the play, combining just about everything in to one strange, weird and wonderful movie. Cars and horses, swords and shotguns, video games and the Colosseum, suits and ancient Roman battle armor. The film is never boring (story-wise or visually). It brings to mind stuff from Tarsem (who made "The Cell" and "The Fall").
Shakespeare is often thought of as a chore due to the difficulty of the language and the way it is written. But like all good productions, its presentation is what saves it or tanks it. Played straight with no flair, it is indeed a boring experience (Laurence Olivier's dreadful version of "Henry V" comes to mind...it gives Shakespeare a bad name). Fortunately, "Titus" is a near brilliant production.
Part of the reason is how Taymor has adapted the play. She keeps the original language, but the lines that she chooses to keep in, and how she presents them, make the play pretty easy to follow. I was rarely confused, and when I was, I was able to simply sit back and enjoy the great acting and writing. It was never too long after that before I found my way again.
It may be a little too long, and some elements should have been beefed up, but all in all this is a fine production.
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Colm Feore, Harry Lennix, Angus Macfayden, Alan Cumming, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Matthew Rhys, Laura Fraser, James Frain
Rated R for Strong Violent and Sexual Images
Although "Titus Andronicus" was William Shakespeare's most popular play when he was alive, it eventually fell out of favor (to the point where some doubted that it was actually written by The Bard). It wasn't until Laurence Olivier played the part in a 1955 production that it gained favor again.
"Titus," as made by Broadway director Julie Taymor in her film debut, is like "Hamlet" on steroids. It's a raw, violent and bloody tale of murder and revenge. In fact, some of what happens is straight out of a horror movie. For those who think that Shakespeare is dry and dull, you'll change you mind after watching "Titus."
Titus Andronicus (Hopkins) is a beloved Roman general back from war with the Goths. He has three captives: Tamora (Lange), the queen, her three sons, Alarbus (Raz Degan), Chiron (Meyers) and Demetrius (Rhys) and Aaron the Moor (Lennix). For religious reasons, Titus kills Alarbus as a sacrifice to the gods causing a grief-stricken Tamora to vow revenge. Titus is welcomed home by Rome, and asked to become the new emperor by his brother, Marcus (Feore). Titus declines, instead throwing his favor behind Saturninus (Cumming). As a gesture of thanks, he selects Titus' daughter Lavinia (Fraser) to be his wife. Unfortunately, she's already engaged to Bassianus (Frain), so he chooses Tamora instead. The now-Empress is in a perfect position to punish Titus for the death of her son, and she does so with relish.
This sounds totally Shakespearean, and it is. The plot is twisty and tragic and has a high body count. Taymor doesn't revel in the blood, but she's not coy either. It's not as unique or gripping as some of the Bard's other plays, like "Hamlet" or "The Taming of the Shrew," but it's definitely entertaining nonetheless.
It seems that William Shakespeare is able to bring out the best in an actor. Anthony Hopkins gives a terrific performance as the title character. With every rise, there is certain to be a fall, and few are as tragic as Titus's. This is well-balanced portrayal, despite the fact that Hopkins was so miserable during filming that he considered retiring from acting (he also flipped off the camera after filming his last scene). Considering the character, I suppose it's inevitable that we are reminded of his most famous character, Hannibal Lecter, and while they're fundamentally different, the connection adds another dimension to his performance. Jessica Lange, in her first time performing Shakespeare either on film or on stage, is perfectly vicious as Tamora. She talks sweet, but she's one cold bitch. Hell hath no woman scorned, indeed! Colm Feore, a Canadian actor whose considerable talents are constantly overlooked, is in fine form as well as Marcus, who watches his brother's self-destruction with a sense of resignation. There isn't a weak link in the supporting cast (although Laura Fraser has a few stiff moments), but special mention has to go to Harry Lennix as Aaron. Tamora is the main antagonist, but the real villain is the Moor. Posing as a friend to all, the Moor sets out to destroy everyone. "If one good deed in all my life I did, I do repent it from my very soul," he says. And he means it!
To say that Taymor's vision of the play is "out there" is to understate matters. This is an extremely weird and visually kinetic interpretation of the play, combining just about everything in to one strange, weird and wonderful movie. Cars and horses, swords and shotguns, video games and the Colosseum, suits and ancient Roman battle armor. The film is never boring (story-wise or visually). It brings to mind stuff from Tarsem (who made "The Cell" and "The Fall").
Shakespeare is often thought of as a chore due to the difficulty of the language and the way it is written. But like all good productions, its presentation is what saves it or tanks it. Played straight with no flair, it is indeed a boring experience (Laurence Olivier's dreadful version of "Henry V" comes to mind...it gives Shakespeare a bad name). Fortunately, "Titus" is a near brilliant production.
Part of the reason is how Taymor has adapted the play. She keeps the original language, but the lines that she chooses to keep in, and how she presents them, make the play pretty easy to follow. I was rarely confused, and when I was, I was able to simply sit back and enjoy the great acting and writing. It was never too long after that before I found my way again.
It may be a little too long, and some elements should have been beefed up, but all in all this is a fine production.
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