Coriolanus
****
Passionate Shakespeare for the now.
This modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s tale of Coriolanus is given an intense and visceral setting by director Ralph Fiennes.
The impact of the film is kept and even enhanced on the small screen, with strong performances by Ralph Fiennes, Vanessa Redgrave and Gerard Butler.
Set in the present in “a place called Rome”, we are introduced to the feared General Coriolanus (Fiennes), the protector of Rome, who is in constant battle to quell uprisings of the civilians against the state. Backed by his over-ambitious mother Volumina (Redgrave) Coriolanus attempts to become consul, a powerful position in the senate. But after alienating the public and causing a riot, Coriolanus is exiled, only to return leading a rebel army after uniting with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (Butler).
The uprisings take the form of riots and protests much like those happening all over the world now, which brings the violence and intensity of the story close to home.
Especially with the format of the DVD the viewer can be forgiven for mistaking the drama of the riots for the evening news report with the close captioning taking the form of news heads.
The explosive nature of the battles between Coriolanus and Aufidius grip the viewer while the original dialogue, delivered with passion and fury by both Fiennes and Butler, mesmerises.
The fearsome character of Coriolanus is taken to an extreme when viewed on the small screen, with Fiennes’s commitment to the character’ righteousness, intensity, power and fury dominating
The relationship between Coriolanus and his mother shapes the course of his destiny and Redgrave executes her intimidating performance as the woman shaping and changing the hero’s course with grace and cold control.
The depth of the characters, the unfolding tragedy and violence and the delivery of the original Shakespearean dialogue grips the viewer by the throat from the opening scene right to the bloody climax of this fascinating tale that remains current despite being more than 400 years old.
SPECIAL FEATURES: None. – Matthew Jordaan