VINCE'S MOVIE REVIEWS |
 DRAMA They ravished her, and cut her tongue away. |
Anthony Hopkins is bound to be nominated for best actor. Nominations should go for best costumes, set design, best actress and much more. Have you got the idea by now that I liked this film? This is an anachronistic film where different time periods are used together. Roman soldiers carrying spears and driving cars. Some carry machine guns while others listen to discmans. The fashions are a cross and mixture from ancient Rome as well as Mad Max and The Matrix. Director Julie Taymor has created her own world on film from her highly acclaimed original adaptation of Shakespeare's play.
The film begins with Titus Andronicus (Anthony Hopkins), the great Roman general, returning home victorious over the northern Goths. He returns with prisoners of which one is sacrificed as part of the victory ritual. It is to be the eldest son of Tamora (Jessica Lange), the Queen of the Goths. It is something that she swears Titus will pay for dearly. Titus does not perform this sacrifice out of cruelty but out of what he believes is religious devotion. She does not see it that way of course but she does what is necessary to protect her two remaining sons and Aaron the moor (Harry Lennix) who is fantastic in this role.
Titus is offered the role of Emperor but refuses in favour of Saturninus, sadistically portrayed by Alan Cumming. The new Emperor take Tamora as his new Queen which elevates her into a position of power, which she uses, with her two sons Chiron (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and Demetrius (Matthew Rhy), to take her revenge on Titus. Lavinia (Laura Fraser), Titus’s only daughter is the first to feel her revenge and more will follow.
The story becomes a tale of double revenge as both Tamora and Titus sacrifice all to end the life of the other. Since this is one of Shakespeare's tragedies it is safe to say the a happy ending will not be easily found. Titus, is about the most modern of emotions—about violence, hatred, cruelty, pain… All the characters are three dimensional, they are alive on the screen and they will draw you into this woeful tale. I strongly recommend this film to everyone except children under 13. If you see any films this year see this one.
Now here is a list of the characters to help you get ready. If you have not read the play before, do not read it before seeing the movie. It will be more fun that way. Read it after...
TITUS (Anthony Hopkins) Late 50’s, early 60’s. A Roman General who has been at war for 40 years and lost 21 sons in battle for Rome. Honorable. Capable of savagery. TAMORA (Jessica Lange) Late 30’s early 40’s. Queen of the Goths, married to Saturninus. Attractive, sexy, funny, sly, able to exert power over others, enjoys revenge. A combination of command, sex appeal, humor and experience.
AARON (Harry Lennix) A dark-skinned Black, late 20’s, mid-30’s, professional soldier, the illicit lover to Tamora, sardonic sense of humor, victim of racism, amoral and cruel.
SATURNINUS (Alan Cumming) Roman Emperor, mid-30’s, husband to Tamora: petulant, arrogant, sensual. Anxious to show and maintain his power. A child who is influenced by Tamora. Corrupt, sleazy, dangerous, sexy.
LAVINIA (Laura Fraser) Titus’s daughter. Early 20’s. Beautiful. Honorable. Strong. Without guile. Married to Bassaninus. She endures and expresses suffering.
DEMETRIUS (Matthew Rhys) Older brother to Chiron and son of Tamora. 18-20. A violent adolescent prince, ruled by testosterone. A rapist and a murderer. Enjoys cruelty. A bully. Ambitious. Verbal. Sexy.
CHIRON (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) Younger brother to Demetrius and son of Tamora. 16-18. A petulant prince, competitive with his older brother. Quiet. A rapist and murderer. Amoral. Enjoys cruelty.
LUCIUS (Angus Macfadyen) The oldest of Titus’s sons, 30’s. He’s war-like, tough, ambitious, unsentimental. Avenges the crimes done to his family and takes control of Rome.
MARCUS (Colm Feore) Titus’s younger brother. Mid-40’s. Practical. Not a warrior or an idealist. Although compassionate, he’s also a politician and a survivor.
BASSIANUS (James Frain) 20’s-30’s. Younger brother to Saturninus and husband of Lavinia. Honorable, sincere. The opposite of Saturninus.
YOUNG LUCIUS (Osheen Jones) Only son of Lucius. 12 years old. An intelligent innocent who witnesses his society unraveling and the cruelty of adults.
QUINTUS (Kenny Doughty) Son of Titus. Noble. A soldier who fights for his beliefs. In good physical condition. Has a sense of foreboding.
MARTIUS (Colin Wells) Son of Titus. 20’s. Young. Brave, but is finally overwhelmed. Fights for his beliefs.
MUTIUS (Blake Ritson) Son of Titus. 20’s. A victim of his father’s rage.
NURSE/ATTENDANT Nurse to Tamora. 40’s-50’s. A gossip and racist, who is loyal to Tamora. Warm. Shocked at the thought her mistress could bear a black child.
AEMILIUS (Constantine Gregory) 50’s. Closest advisor to Saturninus. A steady diplomat.
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Laura Fraser, Angus MacFadyen, Alan Cumming, Harry J. Lennix, Matthew Rhys, Colm Feore, Constantine Gregory, James Frain, Blake Ritson, Colin Wells, Kenny Doughty, Osheen Jones, Geraldine McEwan Directed by Julie Taymor Written by William Shakespeare, Julie Taymor Produced by Distributed by Fox Searchlight Rating USA... Rating Canada... Read Another Review Of This Film Read Still Another Review Of This Film |
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