Tempest (2010), Taymor

I wanted so badly to see this movie in theatres, but it was in and out and gone and so I had to wait for the DVD. Then I figured, why not wait for the blu-ray. It's a visually rich Taymor film. So I got it for Christmas on blu-ray and sat back to finally watch it.

I know that I overset this movie up in my head, so to say I'm disappointed isn't going to paint the whole picture.

The casting, to start with, was really good - but with some really bad choices thrown in. Some people brought interesting new sides to the roles (who knew Gonzolo was lovable? that Chris Cooper would make Shakespearean villainy look so easy?), but others just made me uncomfortable. And I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be comfortable with them. Am I scared of Caliban? Do I think Ferdinand is kind of a loser? Is that your point?

I'm sorry world, changing Prospero to ProsperA just doesn't work. Textually and emotionally, it's a story of a father letting go of a daughter. Of a brother doing the incredible and forgiving his brother for usurping him. Of a wronged man quelling the natural urge to take revenge and soften it to gentle forgiveness. Of an older man, recognizing that what he's ending will leave the best parts of him behind. And as brilliant, truly wonderful, an actor as Helen Mirren is those moments were lost to me. A mother giving up her daughter, forgiving her brother, and accepting old age seem more natural to me. But leaving the best parts behind - oh, that she nailed. But if you have to change the text (and I don't just mean "sir" to "ma'am", you're doing it wrong.

What does it MEAN?

Artistically, I was extremely disappointed. Early on I admired the costumes and thought oh, that's interesting. But then I couldn't explain to myself why they were also necessary. Whole outfits made out of heavy black fabric with intricate zippers making up designs and ruffs? Cool. But why? What are the zippers telling us about the characters? That they are shiny and have teeth? And Miranda emerging wearing a corset with the faded face of the Virgin Mary on her torso to proclaim "O, Brave New World," was just so <dances like a monkey and points at symbolism>.

Just stop it.

With The Tempest, with a person as visually creative as Taymor, with a budget as this one may have had it is Go Big or Go Home, and this movie just didn't get big enough. The images that inspired Ariel truly are gorgeous and on for it, so why was he no more than a wisp of air most of the time? If you have a play full of songs of love, freedom, and magic, then BRING the love, freedom and MAGIC! The music was whiny and atonal and made me want to cut my wrists with a plastic knife. If you're going to do the scene with the gods entertaining the young lovers, BE FREAKING FANTASTIC. We got kaleidoscopes of constellations. That is a jip. The most stunning and emotionally moving part was the end credits, where over some more sad atonal music with Elizabethan lyrics on a background of dark water, Prospero's books slowly sink. Now that was gorgeous and inspired, and the movie just... wasn't.

With all these faults, though, I really had to love Ariel as the harpy - so deliciously terrifying, Russell Brand and Alfred Molina as Trinculo and Stephano - a rougher go than usual, but I liked it, and the sheer inhospitableness of the island itself. It was imposing, barren, and dark - however did Prospera manage to carve out a life for herself and Miranda against such odds? There were some scenic-ly and actor-ly beautiful moments throughout - it was my disappointment with a number of things that made me swing so negative.

I'm glad I have it. It is interesting enough to have and watch again, but I can't help but feel let down on many counts. Yep - even rewatching the trailer to post it for you below - it looks so good! But it did not live up to the challenge. Next time, Julie. I believe in you.

But hey, don't take my word for it. The Shakespeare Geek is giving away his Christmas bounty of copies of this movie on DVD. Enter to win one and see it for yourself. DaNaNA!

EDIT: Missed the Shakespeare Geek Giveaway? Try BardFilm's!