Coriolanus

Being a writer whose work is in the public domain, William Shakespeare is ripe for film adaptations. We usually see his work in its historical context. But occasionally you get film makers who do modern versions.

I am a big fan of Shakespeare. It is probably wrong of me that I have not seen very many plays on stage but I have seen them a lot on film. I love his use of language and the way people speak. The plots can be very intricate and very much based on human emotion. One of my all time favourite films is 'Romeo + Juliet'. Another modern adaptation. Much like Baz Luhrmann, Ralph Fiennes has used modern technology and situations to tell a story that was crafted about 400 years ago. I find that a stroke of genius. The way news reports and even web cam is used to tell the story is something of great skill that I'm very envious of. The film is nicely action packed with some very well handled scenes. I think Ralph has a real career behind the camera if he wanted to. The action feels very brutal and visceral. Ralph has swapped the sword for guns to great effect. The eastern European setting also helps with this toughness. The story is fairly simple with a military general who wants to gain power but his brutal nature does not make him very beloved. But this being Shakespeare his path to glory is never easy and there are many wonderful twists and turns.

Ralph Fiennes is no stranger to playing nasty characters. He has just come from playing one of literature's most despised villains. Here he brilliantly plays a brutal, egotistical man with dictator tendencies. He is certainly a highly skilled actor that is relishing the chance to play such a great character and speaking some wonderful dialogue as well. Ralph has managed to assemble a brilliant supporting cast who more than match him in performance. Gerard Butler has not always made some great choices in roles. But the skill he displays here more than makes up for some previous lapses in judgement. He is excellent and shows he can do more than just be eye candy in romantic comedies. The real highlight of the film though is Vanessa Redgrave. The woman is simply breathtaking in her performance. She plays a typical vindictive Shakespearian woman but does it with such class. Jessica Chastain plays the emotional core of the film as the wife. I don't think she can ever give a bad performance. Brian Cox and James Nesbitt were equally as wonderful.

I know that films based on Shakespeare take more brain power to watch because you have to think more about what the characters are saying. But if you don't mind thinking when watching a film then you will be more than amply rewarded with a satisfying movie experience.