This film looked amazing as soon as I saw the trailer - slightly gothic, with scandal, Shakespeare and pretty men in ruffles, what's not to like? I had no idea of the basic storyline, but thought I'd give it a go.
It begins in the modern day, with Shakespearian actor Derek Jacobi delivering a prologue on stage in New York, which leads into the main film. An unknown young man, who we later learn will become famous writer Ben Johnson, is shown being tortured to find the whereabouts of Shakespeare's play manuscripts. The scene then backtracks to five years previously, with Johnson being asked to put his name to the plays by their 'real' writer the Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans) as it is not acceptable for men of his status to be involved in the arts. He refuses, and instead they are taken up by William Shakespeare (Rafe Spall), a brash and attention-seeking actor who is illiterate. His plays become hugely popular, with only Ben knowing their true author, until Shakespeare follows him one day and demands a sum of money to keep the truth a secret.
As well as this, there are subplots of a romance between the Earl (whose younger version is portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower) and Queen Elizabeth (played by Joely Richardson and her real life mother Vanessa Redgrave) and the fight for the successor of the English throne between James I of Scotland, and the Earl of Essex.
I love the passion and extravagance of this film, and found the way that Jamie Campbell Bower and later Rhys Ifans talk about writing was both highly convincing and inspiring. With it being set in a Puritan time where plays and performance were seen as works of the devil, the drama that ensues due to the Earl of Oxford's love of writing is both incomprehensible and fascinating. On a more personal level, as a Shakespeare fan, there were lots of great excerpts from his plays, and a few insider jokes that I felt very intelligent being able to understand!
The visual effects are another strength of this production, successfully managing to depict the gloomy undeveloped streets of 16th century London in high detail. I also think that using the Shakespearian favoured element of a mis-en-scene at the beginning and end of the film, immerses you in the action immediately,
There are a few weaknesses however. I found certain parts difficult to follow, as it throws you backwards and forwards between ages, and uses different actors/ actresses for the same parts at different stages in their lives. This would be fine if each character were easily distinguishable, but as all the men appear to be called Charles, Edward or Henry (or names of that ilk) and all wear very similar lavish costumes, I found my head spinning after a while.
I can also see why this film may be disliked by those people who are avid historians, or loyal Shakespeare devotees, as it does depict the famous writer in a greedy, arrogant and bumbling manner, as well as suggesting that the famous Virgin Queen, was indeed a bit of a whore who fathered more than a couple of children. However, taken for what it is, as a fictional film, I think it presents an interesting story, that may well have no substantial evidence to prove its truth, but is entertaining nonetheless.
N.B. look out for new eye-candy in the form of Xavier Samuel, and be prepared for a brilliantly unexpected twist at the end!
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