Coriolanus

"Would you have me
False to my nature? Rather say I play
The man I am."

That is the quote that underlies this Shakespearean tragedy.  Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes) is a celebrated Roman general who returns to his city after defending Rome from their rival the Volcians led by Aufidius (Gerard Butler).  He has been raised to be merciless and ruthless so that when a shortage of grain occurs, throwing the city into a state of chaos, he then suspends civil liberties which makes him despised by the very people he defended.  Having restored some form of order in the meantime, Coriolanus is also urged to run for consul in the Roman senate by his avid supporter Senator Menenius (Brian Cox).  Further encouraging him in this endeavor are his mother, Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave) and wife, Virgilia (Jessica Chastain).  Coriolanus is now thrown into a personal conflict on whether to stay true to himself or play politics and try to gain the affection of the very people who now dislike him.  Menenius persuades him to ask for their support so he concedes begrudgingly.  He may defend Rome but he has no desire to listen to their concerns.  His chief critic, Sicinius (James Nesbitt) manages to goad the population to see him as a tyrant and reject him.  The people turn against Coriolanus, revolt and consequently banishes him into exile.  Betrayed and furious at the audacity of the Romans, Coriolanus aligns with his rival Aufidius to take revenge against his own city.

Ralph Fiennes is, as always, excellent and very intense as Coriolanus.  There were even some scenes where I'd feel that he was going to turn into Voldemort (yes sorry I couldn't help it).  But what was wonderful was the confrontation scene with his family towards the end when one sees a fearless general turn back into a boy in front of his formidable mother, Volumnia.  Vanessa Redgrave is both elegant and imposing as a mother who has raised her child as a soldier.  It is thrilling to see her spar with Fiennes in this movie.  And yet she is all gentle and supporting when during her scenes with her daughter-in-law, Virgilia.  Though her role as a supportive and fragile wife doesn't give her too much to do, Jessica Chastain plays her with great vulnerability and she very much holds her own in her scenes with Mr. Fiennes and Ms. Redgrave.  Having just seen her in Zero Dark Thirty, it's delightful to hear her utter Shakespeare so naturally like the words just poured out of her.  There is an aura of grace in the way she speaks Shakespeare's words as if she was born to talk that way. 

Mr. Fiennes not only stars in this film but also directs it.  Together with writer John Logan, he has set Coriolanus in modern times with reminders of the Occupy movement, election politics and campaigning as well as urban warfare. It is surprisingly relevant and to think the play was written ages ago!  I was actually delaying watching this film because I thought that I might have trouble with the language but after 5 minutes of the film, I was captured.  Shakespeare is really meant to be heard in dialogue and seen in performance instead of read in text.  So go for it and see this (it's on Netflix streaming) for it might surprise you!

Skyfall

I daresay Skyfall is the best Bond movie.  Not that I've seen a lot of Bond movies.  But it helps that Daniel Craig is 007, and  Sam Mendes is at the helm.  This is James Bond at his darkest.  Surprisingly, this appears to be his origin story.  But it is also his future.  In keeping with the times, cyber crime and security is the threat in this one.  Can old intelligence techniques counter this new world of cyber-terrorism?  Is he getting too old to still be doing this?

The film begins with a typical action-packed chase scene in Istanbul; at stake is a hard drive carrying highly classified information.  M (Judi Dench) is forced to make a crucial decision for field operative Eve (Naomie Harris), with seemingly deadly consequences for our hero.  He eventually returns as MI6 itself becomes the target and M's job is imperiled.  The lady spymaster's computer gets hacked, and she gets mysterious messages from somebody who knows too much about her and the spy world.  What is the motivation?  "The sins of the father (or in this case, the mother) shall be visited upon the son" seems to fit the bill. 

Bond's mission takes him to Shanghai, where he meets  Severine (Berenice Marlohe), who leads him to our creepy villain.  Most of the action is London-centric, but the film's climax occurs in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.  This has to be one of the most gorgeously photographed 007 film ever.  Fans of the franchise will also recognize and enjoy the little references to other movies.

Other characters include Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes), a bureaucrat who wants M to retire.  Ben Whishaw is the young, minimalistic techie Q, emphasizing the out-with-the-old-in-with-the- new theme.  Without giving too much away, we finally find out what Skyfall means. (Side note: I wonder if his parachute jump with the Queen for the Olympics was a planned promo for the film.) We meet Albert Finney's character. Shades of Bruce Wayne's Alfred.  I know I watch a lot of movies and television shows, and I almost always figure out plot twists and turns now.  I'm happy to tell you that this one kept me guessing. I didn't see it coming.  Like perhaps, the sky falling one day.

In Case You Missed It...

Director and star of Coriolanus, Ralph Fiennes, on The Daily Show.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Here's the film trailer.

Enough Said

(photos from SciFi Mafia)

How Far Would You Go To Protect A Secret

It is the underlying tone of Stephen Daldry's The Reader, a movie about shame and torment which headlines Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and David Kross. It is the story of Michael Berg (David Kross as the younger Michael and Ralph Fiennes as the older) who at 15 has an affair with mysterious Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet). The affair only lasts one summer but has greatly affected Michael's life. A few years later, Michael now a law student, encounters Hanna again but this time she's being accused of Nazi war crimes. What follows is an intense portrait of guilt, shame and torment. It's one of those movies where you have a preconception about where it's going but as the plot evolves it totally surprises you as an audience member.....or at least that was my experience.

David Hare's script is riveting and Stephen Daldry's direction is exquisite. The pace, subtlety and attention to detail such as hand movements, eye and facial close-ups gives a palpable emotional impact. There is actually a Stephen Daldry-ish feel to the movie which I can't quite describe but if you've seen The Hours or Billy Elliot you'll know what I mean. Kate Winslet's understated acting is phenomenal and draws the audience to have empathy to a character you'd think you should hate. David Kross is heartbreaking as a tormented Michael. Ralph Fiennes, also very understated in this film, is stirring as he tries to understand and make peace with his past.

It's nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Cinematography. So far, it's my favorite among the nominated movies that I've seen. Make sure you get to see it.

Ralph Rex

Ralph Fiennes is back on the London stage! The new version of Oedipus, translated by Frank McGuinness, premiered at the National Theatre on 15 October. As per his usual, he is getting rave reviews.

Directed by Jonathan Kent, the play will run until 04 January 2009.

(photos from Booth Theatre's stage door after a performance of Faith Healer in New York)