Cymbeline
The play by Shakespeare, late in the writer’s career, possible had an accomplice. I don’t have quick notes, other than the my version of the plays, in order, and that puts it right before The Winter’s Tale, which had similar elements, if I recall. I might not.
Brilliant film, and rather well executed. Brilliant. The original billing was “starring Ethan Hawke,” but it wasn’t. Ed Harris was a star as the British warlord and king, Cymbeline. Ethan Hawke was good, but the script was bloody well brilliant. Re-imagined with the English King as a drug-gang lord, and the Romans as corrupt police in cahoots then falling out, leading to war. With current events, it couldn’t be more timely.
Evil step-mother queen, a Romeo and Juliette backdrop, against the pagan British as outlaw bikers, it was called, Sons of Anarchy meet Romeo and Juliette.
“What art thou mad?”
“It’s weird to see Google on Shakespeare.”
Much of the film used voice over with a suitable, nameless American-looking town as the setting. Couple of famous, or well-known, Shakespeare actors were part of the crews.
Hat to tip to #WithoutAYard for alerting me. What’s cool, although it was direct to video, it popped up as number one new choice on the second row online.
Late in the author’s career, yes, Fletcher probably had a hand in some of the words.
Having just watched Ethan Hawke’s role, masterful delivery, in that other movie, it was great fun to see him as the bad guy. Interesting how he got such a big push when the role wasn’t that big. Still, listen to the words. Near perfect, certainly perfect to me, delivery. Sounds as natural as speaking.
Ed Harris brought a gritty realism to his role, too. King. Drug lord. Bad-ass. I mean, really tough guy. Leather and bikes, skateboards, and an honorable AMC Pacer, which, to me, was over the top cool.
As far as both film and play adaptation goes?
Bloody brilliant (USA).
#shakespeare
#withoutayard
