Monday, June 18, 2012

CORIALANUS: MODERN DAY SHAKESPEARE


Ralph Fiennes is a well known actor made more famous for playing the arch enemy of Harry Potter, Lord Vole mort, in that series of films. Surprisingly that's the most famous thing he's remembered for. Forgotten are the roles he played in QUIZ SHOW, THE ENGLISH PATIENT or RED DRAGON. So it's nice to see him return to something away from the Potter universe once more.

CORIALANUS is based on the lesser known Shakespeare play concerning the main character of the same name. But Fiennes has also taken on the role of director here and chosen to situate the story not in Shakespearean times but in the modern world, a world where wars are fought on a daily basis and bloodshed and politics are strange bedfellows. Caius Martius (Fiennes) is a solider of high standing whose escapades inspire his men and who is hailed as the warrior in chief by politicians, especially Menenius (Brian Cox). But not everyone loves this warrior.

Among those who fear and hate him are the rabble rousers whose job it is to do nothing more than stir up trouble against the status quo. This group knows less about what they really want and more about protesting than most. They are represented by politicians whose desire is for nothing more than power while preaching that they have their good will in mind. Martius remains a warrior, a man whose life is pledged to defend his country. At the same time his contempt for those he considers beneath him shines through in his every word.

Leading the rebels is Tullus Aufidious (Gerard Butler), a man who is passionate not about his social standing or the will of politicians but a true leader who wants what is best for his people. While Martius has a respect based on fear from his men, Aufidius has respect based on the love of his people. These two have collided more than once and will do so again and again until only one stands.

After a serious battle Martius is put forward to drop his warrior role and take on that of a statesman. To show their gratitude the politicians rename him Caius Martius Corialanus after the town of his last victory. Menenius sees the potential he has for this role as does his mother (Vanessa Redgrave), an overbearing woman whose own status lies in the role of her son. But Martius doesn't have the skill for politics rather saying what he believes and thinks instead of what they want him to say. His reward for his service to country is to be betrayed by the politicians who sought to use him for their own devices. Martius finds himself banished from his own country and sets out to find his destiny.

That path leads him to Aufidious and the rebels. Martius sees first hand what their life is like. He witnesses what role Aufidious plays in the lives of his people. In so doing he realizes that he must seek revenge on those who did him wrong.

The character of Corialanus is a tragic one as were most of Shakespeare's characters. Here we have a man who has dedicated his life and based his career on the country he loves only to find himself cast out by them. Eventually even the love of his mother is called to question as the film heads for the final reel.

By setting the film in the present, Fiennes has attempted to bring new life into the classic work of its author. Much of the dialogue fits well within this setting, discussions of warrior spirit and the like. The war torn streets seem recognizable as those of European world where fighting continues to this day. It becomes believable. And the actions of politicians who do little more than seek power fits so well into the current world that one wonders how many acts displayed here take place daily in the halls of power.

This may not be enough to gain popularity for the movie or for Shakespeare. But then it might open the world of the author for younger viewers who never seem to want to take a chance on anything considered classic, instead opting only for what's new. But if you enjoy the words and writings of Shakespeare then you'll want to give this one a watch. If not, watch anyway to make a better equipped judgment. Not for all tastes, those who would like something different than usual should seek this one out.

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