Anonymous Review

Whilst braving Narnia conditions, I managed to see Anonymous with Dad and Justin on October 29, 2011. I thought this movie was excellent. I love when people take theories such as Shakespeare being a fraud and running with it to create an interesting and compelling story. There are some that actually side with the fact that he didn't write his plays, sonnets, etc as manucsripts haven't been found in his handwriting. What's interesting is the movie starts in modern times with a man giving a performance to an audience about the theory that Shakespeare didn't write the plays. It appears they are acting out this story on stage, but then it goes into the real world and how this is what actually happened. I personally found that very interesting. The movie gives the theory that the plays were written by Edward De Vere The 17th Earl of Oxford, a nobleman, who would be educated about the perils of society and the history of the world. Basically: We've All Been Played!!! It also ties in some English history with the Essex rebellion against Elizabeth I (who is one of my favorite rulers from history along with Louis XIV). Rhys Ifans was absolutely amazing in the role as Edward De Vere. It explores his relationship with Elizabeth, how his marriage was arranged, and how he believed that words can give hope to a nation better than swords can. Edward wants his plays to be seen for this reason, but as a noble he needs someone to pen their name to the work. The man he had originally selected, Ben Jonson (played by Sebastian Armesto-who I thought was very good in his role as well) , a playwright himself attends Henry V which has a man that we all may know by the name of Will Shakespeare (played brilliantly by Rafe Spall) in one of the roles. In the movie, Shakespeare is painted as an actor who isn't literate, basically saying he doesn't know how to write certain letters. When the audience demands to see the writer in person, Shakespeare takes the reins and at first Edward is confused as is Ben. Over time, we see a nice montage of the plays we all may know tied in with altered history such as Elizabeth having affairs with Edward, giving birth to bastard sons, and the inspiration for several of the plays such as Romeo and Juliet. What's VERY interesting is they found a way to work in the plots of plays like Richard III, Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear into certain aspects of the movie through the political aspects with Elizabeth who was portrayed by both Joely Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave (as mother and daughter in real life this was very cool to see). The Cecil family had been very adamant of getting rid of plays as they felt it was a cesspool of nonsense that wasn't necessary. Both David Thewlis (who some may know as Professor Lupin in Harry Potter) and especially Edward Hogg were phenomenal. Robert took his father William's views to heart and wanted to put James I (who before his succession was the rules of Scotland. The I didn't come until he sat on the English throne) on the throne through the Act of Succession and also in a way to erase the cultural influences of Elizabeth I. They portrayed Elizabeth in a very similar light to her father Henry VIII, especially through Joely Richardson's portrayal with love of theater and festivities, as well as taking several lovers. I just liked how they did it (like father, like daughter). Ben of course eventually gets incensed at all the attention William Shakespeare is getting with building the Globe Theater as well as taking credit for everything. Ben goes to great lengths to expose Edward and this in turn brings forth a conclave of consequences and also makes Robert Cecil very happy as he can bring down those closest to Edward, and even Edward himself. All in all, I loved this movie and really can't wait to get this on DVD as it was one of the most well made movies I've ever seen. I liked how the topic was approached and how the cultural aspects were balanced with the political aspects and then connected to the present. For me, this movie is a 5/5!!!