Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut is an impressive and bold adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Coriolanus.”
The film tracks the rise and fall of Caius Maritus Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes, “The Reader”) as he goes from being a war hero who fails to charm his public to public enemy number one, seeking revenge against those who betrayed him.
For the newer generation, who are only familiar with the famous bard’s plays because of films like Baz Lurhmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” or Franco Zeffirelli’s version of the aforementioned play that puts high school students to sleep in literature classes across the country, this take on Shakespeare’s play by Fiennes manages to deliver a fresh and intense drama.
With an accomplished cast including Jessica Chastain (“The Tree of Life”), Vanessa Redgrave (“Anonymous”), Gerard Butler (“Law Abiding Citizen”) and Brian Cox (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”), the film utilizes the themes of politics, betrayal, death and war to an impressive scope.
The film plays out against two separate, but related backgrounds: famine and war. Coriolanus emerges through riot guards to confront a crowd of hungry picketers who are resisted with force at a grain depot. The very stylish introduction incorporates fabricated news clips to weave together a feeling inherent to both fiction and documentary.
Despite the seemingly modern setting, the characters often speak in Shakespearian soliloquy, complete with iambic pentameter.
As the movie moves forward, the audience is introduced to Rome’s war with the Voloscans, spearheaded by Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler). Maritus goes to war and performs extraordinary acts of heroics, earning him the title of General Coriolanus, only to return home to a sinister plot.
Little does Maritus know, Senators Sinicus and Brutus (played by James Nesbitt and Paul Jesson, respectively) have manipulated the public against him. Coriolanus is banished, but eventually returns to Rome to seek revenge against those who wronged him.
Expertly shot by Barry Ackroyd (“United 93,” “Green Zone”), each actor’s performance is framed by equal parts melodrama and verve.
The source text was adapted for the screen by John Logan (“The Last Samurai,” “Gladiator”), who is no stranger to stories with a large amount of dramaturgy.
Powerful performances also came from Vanessa Redgrave, who plays Volimnia, Coriolanus’s mother, and Brian Cox, who plays Senator Menenus, confidante to Fiennes character.
“Coriolanus” is a thrilling account of pride gone awry and audiences will get caught up in the twists and turns the plot has to offer. Even if you are no fan of the high-minded verbiage, there is more than enough action to keep your attention.
thescene@theeagleonline.com
