Review of Anonymous (2011) by Frank N — 20 Feb 2012

"Anonymous" asks the question: What if Shakespeare was not the actual author of all his works? However, the film is ultimately not even really about that, and that whole angle is almost secondary to the entire rest of the plot of the film; it doesn't necessary concentrate on its claims that Edward de Vere actually wrote all of what Shakespeare claimed as his work, but rather briefly explains why the credit was transferred before pushing the story more into the realm of de Vere's life itself and his relations and attempts to save the throne from being bestowed upon King James of Scotland.

However, with the back and forth through time and the somewhat complicated plot, with many characters who all look somewhat similar and thus hard to keep track of, the film is a bit complicated for my liking. However, the clever thing about "Anonymous" is that even if the title theme is almost secondary to the plot, the entire movie, with its intrigue and backstabbing and...incest...it plays out like a work by...Shakespeare. Or de Vere. Or whoever.

So, for that, I give it credit.

Directed by Roland Emmerich, who is best known for films like "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow," this was a surprising change of pace for him. With direction not nearly as calculated as his previous works, he still did an alright job with holding together a period ensemble, even if the story was slightly difficult to stay on course. Rhys Ifans is solid as Edward de Vere and Vanessa Redgrave, as Queen Elizabeth I, is always a pleasure to see on screen. There is really nothing negative o say about any of the performances in the film. There is just something that didn't quite gel about the final product.

Not many critics liked the film, but I think it may be because they expected a serious period piece with serious insight into a conspiracy rather than what the film is, which is a light film of period fluff filled with excellent Oscar-nominated costumes and an idea that maybe the conspiracy theories could be true.

I certainly expected more from this film, there is no doubt, but the final product is still an entertaining, albeit slightly long-winded look at monarchy, treachery and the power of the written word...oh, and yes, what if Shakespeare was indeed a fraud.