Review of Anonymous (2011) by Mikael K — 03 Mar 2012

Roland Emmerich has had a mostly unconvincing career of directing banal disaster movies with very little substance and excess sentimentality. Now he seems to have finally gotten a win by turning a historical mystery scripted by John Orloff into a beautiful, dramatic and dynamic feature.

âAnonymousâ? stems from the speculations about William Shakespeareâ(TM)s plays. Itâ(TM)s not considered a completely ridiculous conspiracy theory that the plays might have been written by a ghost writer in a social position unsuited for art. Whatever the unknown truth, this flick takes the idea and runs with it, building a complex and infinitely fascinating political thriller around it. This is cloak and dagger plotting at its most intense, and itâ(TM)s supported by interesting character drama and a stylish execution with great cinematography and top notch acting. Rhys Ifans and Vanessa Redgrave are exceptionally convincing as Earl of Oxford and Queen Elisabeth I.

Hereâ(TM)s hoping that Emmerich realizes his potential and in the future keeps away from soulless action spectacles. It might be time for him to claim a position among directors with artistic insight and the ability to make meaningful and powerful silver screen gems.