Anonymous (Columbia)
Rated PG-13 for some violence and sexual content.
Starring Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, Sebastian Armesto, Rafe Spall, David Thewlis, Edward Hogg, Xavier Samuel, Sam Reid, Jamie Campbell Bower, Joely Richardson, Paolo De Vita, Trystan Gravelle.
Written by John Orloff.
Directed by Roland Emmerich.
GRADE: A-
REVIEW:
A scene from 1999's 10 Things I Hate About You depicts a young Shakespeare aficionado describing her devotion to The Bard when she says, "We're involved." I wouldn't say I'm that devoted to the works of Shakespeare, but I would say that his words truly do inspire me on occasion. When I read the tag line for Anonymous (Was Shakespeare a fraud?"), I was nervous that the movie might sully the great literary work. It turns out I had little to worry about with respect to the written word, since the film is an acknowledgment of works of Shakespeare, if not the man himself.
Anonymous is based on one of several theories that suggest William Shakespeare was a literary charlatan who took credit (or was given credit) for the plays, sonnets and poems that were written in the late 1600s. This particular theory operates on the premise that Edward De Vere, the Earl of Oxford was the author of all the words attributed to William Shakespeare.
Rhys Ifans plays the Oxford in his later years, while Jamie Campbell Bower plays the same character in teens and 20s during flashbacks. The story centers on the political turmoil surrounding the last years of Queen Elizabeth (Vanessa Redgrave, whose daughter Joely Richarddson plays the same character in her youth). As the Queen age becomes a factor, several people close to the throne begin to posture themselves or their allies into a position to reign once the old bag kicks the bucket. Among the power players are William Cecil and his son Robert, two shrewd men who impose their puritanical ways on the kingdom, and also despise the theater. Another faction supports the ascension of the Earl of Essex (Sam Reid), while another positions themselves to back James of Scotland. Among Essex's supporters is Edward, who is less interested in power for himself as he is the arts, including the theater. Edward is a prolific playwright and poet, with an entire library of unpublished and unperformed plays in his study. Concerned that the Cecils will have him arrested, Edward devises a plan to have a young playwright named Benjamin Johnson (Sebastian Armesto) produce his plays, and forbids him from revealing his true identity.
When the first performance is huge hit, the audience insists on applauding the author. One of Johnson's mates, an illiterate, philandering braggart actor named Will spills ink on his fingers and dashes onto stage to take credit. Johnson is forced to play the middleman in Edward's scheme
In the battle for the about-to-be-vacated throne, Edward is enlisted to help position Essex. Edward decides to use his writing talent to sway the masses through the politics in his plays, which are anti-french and revere heroes like Essex, while discouraging any sentiment of Essex's opposition.
Another important element of the film is Edward's steamy relationship with Elizabeth, which goes all the way back to their young adult years and produced all kinds of family issues, including out of wedlock babies, incest, and a few more heirs to the throne.
The story reaches a climax when Edward's scheme unravels as Ben Johnson and Will Shakespeare break rank to expose his ruse. Edward must turn to Elizabeth to save himself and his family from complete ruin.
Anonymous has been decried by Shakespearean scholars as a load of hogwash and point to several historical inaccuracies to prove their point. Many call it blasphemy; a trite bit of unnecessary anti-Shakespeare propaganda.
I just don't care about that. Anonymous should be considered a work of fiction; no more or less than Shakespeare in Love, which had substantial acclaim among moviegoers and critics alike. If I were to grade a period-piece film solely on it's historical merit, I wouldn't see another movie based on anything earlier than 2001.
That said, Anonymous was a pleasant surprise all around for me, due in no small part to the performances of the extremely talented cast. Rys Ifans (who many will remember as Xonophilia Lovegood in the final Harry Potter films - or perhaps as Hugh Grant's dopey roommate in Notting Hill) is outstanding as Edward, and depicts a quiet frustration of an artist who must answer to his muses and his queen. Redgrave and her daughter are equally resilient as the queen, while David Thewlis and Edward Hogg are brilliant as the scheming and sadistic Cecils. Rafe Spall is often comical as the opportunistic Shakespeare as well.
Anonymous proves one point. Shakespeare's words matter, not the man. The film bears this truth, and anyone who sees it will love the works of Shakespeare more than they did before.
Another surprise hit me as the credits began to roll at the end of Anonymous. The director is none other than Roland Emmerich, the man responsible for other "high-brow" films such as 2012, The Day After Tomorrow, Godzilla and Independence Day. Huh? Here I thought Emmerich was only capable of depicting the end of the world, and out of nowhere, he pulls off a cinematic gem that actually requires thinking and other dangerous stuff like that.
Who knew? Maybe later, Emmerich can give nom de plume credit to someone else for all those disasters.
