Don't abdicate, pleeeeeez

Rating: 1/10 (21 October 2001)

Shakespeare's Lear is not my favourite play, largely because of its length and overkill (the subplot and main plot; the repetitions; the Sturm und Drang). It is equally difficult to stage vibrantly. But, put it in Japanese, add in an extra 30 minutes (for measure), and you have a spectacular film that manages to disengage its audience. More than that, it is strangely alienating and makes the original play more appealing and palatable. It's a great pity the storm and drama didn't wipe them out earlier - a far better, though less 'artistic' and certainly less pretentious (and less uneven) option would be to watch 1000 Acres and compare this to Olivier's King Lear.... Tedious.