Coriolanus

Rating: 5/10 (18 May 2017)

Like Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, this film was based on a play by William Shakespeare, but set in the modern world, but with the Shakespearean language remaining, this was also the directorial debut for noted Shakespeare interpreter Ralph Fiennes, so I was looking forward to seeing how it fared. Basically in a contemporary alternate version of Rome, the city is at war with the neighbouring Volsci, Caius Martius Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes) is the revered and feared Roman General trying to help bring order. Coriolanus is at adds with the city of Rome and the citizens, he is pushed and manipulated by his controlling mother Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave) to seek the exalted and powerful position of Consul. But Coriolanus fails to win public approval and gain support from votes he needs to secure office, Senator Menenius (Brian Cox) and Coriolanus' wife Virgilia (Jessica Chastain) lose hope in him following this failure, Coriolanus' anger causes a riot to break out, culminating in his exile from Rome. The banished hero sees the only solution is to offer his own life and services, and ally with his sworn enemy, Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler), and to take revenge on and conquer the city, but this can only end in tragedy, it ends with Aufidius betraying him, he and his men attack and kill Coriolanus. Also starring John Kani as General Cominius, James Nesbitt as Tribune Sicinius, Paul Jesson as Tribune Brutus, Channel 4 journalist Jon Snow as TV Anchorman (an unintentionally amusing performance) and Nikki Amuka-Bird as TV Pundit. Fiennes certainly makes his presence as the commander somewhat forced into forging a powerful political career in a conflict-ravaged society, then furious and trying to get his own back siding with the enemy, Jackman is less convincing as the enemy, Redgrave is a bit hammy at times, Cox as the influential politician and Chastain as the tender spouse give the best supporting performances. Whereas Romeo + Juliet had a fast pace and stylish visuals, this modern day adaptation certainly has some exciting battle sequences near the beginning and some places throughout, with characters covered in blood, but the pace slows with the chatty scenes with the characters in rooms talking, and obviously you have to concentrate to understand what they are saying, overall it is an alright political drama. It was nominated the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Ralph Fiennes. Worth watching!