It Shall Be So

Rating: 5/10 (10 November 2014)

We have many great modern day adaptations of books or plays that have worked in changing the setting. I have to say that Coriolanus is not one of those. It is set in a modern day alternative Rome and tries to tell the tragic tale of Coriolanus while also keeping the Shakespearian dialogue.
Not only is the dialogue a bit confusing, it just doesn't seem right when you see people holding out cell phones at the same time. I may be in the minority but nothing seemed to click with this film. Ralph Fiennes did a phenomenal job as the lead, but then again isn't he always good? Gerard Butler was fine but didn't seem to compliment Fiennes enough. The supporting cast is pretty good but besides Fiennes nobody seemed to stand out.
I definitely appreciate the ambition that Fiennes brings considering the risk of a project like this, but I just didn't seem to enjoy all the risks taken. The film has several slow parts with a few cool fight scenes but it definitely drags. Perhaps ill attempt to read the play and then go back and re-watch the film to get a better understanding of why this story is so revered.
+Fiennes
+Ambitious directing...
-...But the time line just doesn't fit with the dialogue
-Drags
-The rest of the cast didn't really stand out
5.2/10