john-2761

I have been interested in this topic on-and-off for 25 years. This documentary is a FABULOUS introduction to the topic. It has a great cast of thespians (all of whom are interested in the topic), great scholars (on both sides of the issue) and some of the best production values I have ever seen in a small independent film...A++

One note: This is meant to be an educational film which introduces the topic to the general public. As such, even at 126 minutes, it only scratches the surface of this fascinating area of research. I consider this film to be sort of a world-class appetizer prepared by a Top Chef....and, as such, it will likely serve to stimulate one's appetite for even more "brain food".

Warning: Prepare for an intellectual feast...but one which just MAY prove very addicting.

The good parts: The cinematography, acting, costumes, sets and screen writing were magnificent. The film is stunningly beautiful to watch in every way. Vanessa Redgrave as Elizabeth I, Rafe Spall as Shakespeare and Edward Hogg as Robert Cecil steal the show, but the Edward de Vere, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Johnson characters are also quite good. The basic premise of an authorship mystery involving Ben Johnson, Edward de Vere and William Shakespeare was handled brilliantly by screen writer John Orloff, who gets an A+ in my book on making the premise believable.

Some nit-picks: The whole subplot involving the succession to the crown was a bit tough to believe. I wanted less of that and more background to the Shakespeare vs. de Vere storyline, especially more about what would have inspired de Vere to write the poems and plays in the first place. I believe it is likely quite difficult to tell a story this complex in a 2 hour movie and have sufficient character development, and it actually would have worked much better as an HBO mini-series. Some minor editing changes would have made the movie a lot more accessible to the general public. I have detailed knowledge of the era, and even some of the more arcane points the movie covers, but even I found it a bit confusing at times.

The first surprise: I saw this movie a second time (as I was a bit confused the first time around) and it made perfect sense on the second viewing. Any and all confusion was gone, and I was able to enjoy and appreciate the film in a much deeper way.

The part professors will hate: In true Hollywood style (just like Shakespeare in Love) the story has fantasy elements, certain historical figures in the wrong place at the wrong time, some factual revisions and a lot of compression of time (events which occurred over 13 years compressed into about 1). English professors will HATE this and probably pan the movie for it.

More surprises: 1) There is a LOT of scenes from Shakespeare plays shown in the movie, and Roland Emmerich (plus Mark Rylance perhaps ?) does a great job directing these scenes...who knew ? 2) You don't have to be a believer in the basic premise regarding the authorship to enjoy this movie as its lush camera-work and truly great (perhaps even "Oscar worthy") acting combined with a solid screenplay make this a delightful film despite some historical oddities.

My conclusion: This could well become a cult classic. If you come with an open mind, enjoy Shakespeare, and appreciate great acting & stupendous cinematography, you MUST see this movie. On the other hand, if you are an English professor, or the type of pedant who hates Hollywood treatments of historical topics, you will probably want to stay home.