Review of Titus (1999) by Daniel S — 02 Nov 2010

There is a great challenge in adapting a work of Shakespeare. On top of the dated, poetic language, one still has to contend with a very long and complex story with with very complex characters. Thus, the very characteristics of Shakespeare that make his play genius are the very things that turn off a modern movie-going audience.

This makes the choice of adapting Titus Andronicus- Shakespeare's bloodiest play- very wise, as it is not counted among Shakespeare's greater masterpieces on account of its obsession with revenge, rape, adultery, murder, and cannibalism. Thus, the very characteristics that make Titus less respected are the very things that might turn on a modern movie-going audience.

Director Julie Taymor presses this advantage and is bold in her adaptation of the script, stretching the tale across multiple levels of reality. Yet in all the brilliance of her expansion of the boy's character and her non-specific use of setting, the story is never lost; and though the occasional hyperactivity and theatricality may at times seem inappropriate, they are appropriately so, for when I asked myself, "Can I make any sense of this?", I was then in the shoes of Titus.

It goes without saying that Anthony Hopkins is absolutely perfect in that role because, really, when is he not? And if you'll excuse Alan Cumming acting like an enormous ham, there is an excellent ensemble here.

While watching this, enjoy the excellent cinematography and observe how that song we all thought was so epic and original in 300 was actually ripped off from the introduction of this movie.