Oh what a brilliant movie - and to think that it took me forever to actually watch it, probably because other things sidetracked me along the way (books, work, etc) but maybe this is just the way it should be, now I am on vacation and relaxed enough to soak everything in properly.
The subject is - at first glance, but only superficially - the real identity of person behind Shakespeare plays, the theory that fascinated me for a long time and in case you wonder, you can read more about it HERE. I was always intrigued with the thought that those plays were not just a public entertainment but a clever way to present current dangerous political power games, dressed as historical plays and audiences at the time could easily recognise who the real characters were. Even though this movie suggest it was one single person (Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford) it sounds more realistic that it was all combination of various people who used Shakespeare's name to go public with their feelings and opinions while keeping their identity secret, as it was considered scandalous to dabble in such low entertainment as theatre, still a place for commoners and not for aristocrats in than puritan England that saw sin in everything. (Than again, would different people all write in one style?)
Reading between the lines, it is much more than who-wrote-Shakespeare because it points at power games: even those in power are powerless.
Walking inside his labyrinth garden (the movie is full of symbols) de Vere appears as powerful aristocrat but he also depends on whims of Queen Elizabeth who herself is cleverly manipulated by her advisers. Everything is really an illusion, the real power is hidden behind the scene.
Visually, the movie is stunning. I loved the panoramic view of Elizabethan London and its muddy streets, the fascinating, re-constructed looks of Globe theatre, the staged fights between dogs and a bear (another symbol - dogs attacking the powerful crown) and naturally the cast is all first class specially elegant and noble Rhys Ifans as de Vere, Rafe Spall as opportunistic and greedy Shakespeare, Trystan Gravelle as envious and spying contemporary competition writer Kit Marlowe and equally fascinating duo of David Thewlis/Edward Hogg as father & son advisers to the queen who actually knew all the political secrets and pulled all the strings behind the throne, including bringing new king to the power. The best of all is a opportunity to see real life mother and daughter Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson in the same movie, playing older and younger Elizabeth, truly a cinematic gift in itself - watching Redgrave gazing trough the window, lost in thoughts about her youth or being moved by theatre plays is truly unforgettable, what an actress where without big gestures and with just simple glance or expressions she is capable to move our hearts. Even though the movie at certain point becomes almost a Greek tragedy full of unexpected twists and turns, it moved me profoundly to tears. That it didn't achieve great worldwide success and went on mostly unnoticed (with occasional raised eyebrow) just shows that modern cinema audiences are simply not used to think anymore. The presence of Derek Jacobi is not accidental as he is one of the celebrated Shakespearean actors of modern times and famous supporter of argument that William Shakespeare was not a real person behind this work.
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