William Shakespeare is peerless in literature, drama and poetry. His plays are often a difficult read, though, even for native English speakers. This has contributed, I feel, to an oversight and under-appreciation for the wisdom he has offered for centuries. So in ST! I endeavor to engage, entertain and educate a modern day audience.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Julie Taymor's Coup with "The Tempest"
In her big-screen adaptation of Shakespeare's mystical thriller "The Tempest," Academy Award-nominated Julie Taymor ("Across the Universe," "Frida," "Titus") brings an original dynamic to the story by changing the gender of the sorcerer Prospero into the sorceress Prospera, portrayed by Oscar winner Helen Mirren ("The Queen"). Prospera's journey spirals through vengeance to forgiveness as she reigns over a magical island, cares for her young daughter, Miranda, and unleashes her powers against shipwrecked enemies in this exciting, masterly mix of romance, tragicomedy and the supernatural.
As screenwriter, director and producer, Julie Taymor manages to assemble silver-screen heavy hitters (wow): Helen Mirren, Felicity Jones, Djimon Hounsou, Russell Brand, Alfred Molina, Ben Whishaw, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming, David Strathairn and Reeve Carney.
Shakespeare was masterful at speaking to gender identity and confusion, so I expect that he would have applauded Taymor's coup of Prospero, turned woman, and casting such a grand dame of acting in that role.
Aficionados often see in Prospero, the aging William Shakespeare, who is full of magical thinking and bittersweet fantasy. At this point in this life, he has lorded over more kingdoms than any king or duke can imagine, and if I were a live audience to all of these, "The Tempest" would have left me as much enthralled as mournful.
At this point, Shakespeare was nearing the end of his life.
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