I used to hate Shakespeare. Not because it was bad or I couldn't understand it, but because like every other English school child I was forced to read it. Not just once, but again and again as we painstakingly analysed every single sodding line. It would, I think, make an excellent form of punishment. Imagine the horror of being told to make notations for every nuance, every metaphor or else to do it all again with a whole new play. Kids would learn very quickly to shut the hell up and behave, lest they want to bleed from the ears, I can tell you that much. Yet, now I'm older and no longer have the educational gun to my head, I've found that I rather enjoy SOME of Shakespeare's work, most notably being Kenneth Branagh's Henry V and Leonardo Dicaprio's modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. So, when I saw the trailer for Coriolanus my interest was naturally piqued. Modern warfare and classic literature? Just try and stop me.
The armour of contempt: Caius Marcius.
Having been written between 1605 and 1608, the first thing I have to say is how well the story has aged. Obviously revamped and brought into the 21st century by director Ralph Fiennes, Coriolanus and it's tale of pride and treachery is still as relatable and tragic as it was 400 years ago. General Caius Marcius, played here by none other than Lord Voldemort and director Ralph Fiennes himself, is a hero of Rome, bane of their hated enemies the Volscians and noble to the core. His disdain for the plebeians, the common folk is well known, demonstrated early in the film as he faces down a rioting mob. Awarded the title Coriolanus he is set to be Consul, before the machinations of politicos and his own pride banish him from the very city he has given everything to protect and into the arms of his greatest enemies. As a character it is hard to like Coriolanus, his arrogance and brutality too overbearing for the modern pallet, but you can respect him for staying true to his convictions. Fiennes's portrayal is intense and moving, bringing to life a legendary general who is now believed to have never existed. While his fall from grace is as deserved as engineered by those who would seek power themselves.
"This is Shakespeare!"
The supporting cast is an impressive array, with Brian Cox, Vanessa Redgrave, an under used Jessica Chastain and Gerard Butler as Volscian leader Tulfus Aufidius . Each performance, while not necessarily stunning, is in line with Shakespeare's characters. Each wrangling for their own agendas, their own advancement while Coriolanus is immovable in his convictions. Relegated to being a pawn as he singularly refuses to play the games of those around him. I have to say that Butler took me by surprise, his roughness, his inner Leonidas giving him the perfect counterpoise to Fiennes's calculated yet refined Roman general. The parallels between the modern West and the Middle East are clear to see, but aren't forced in our faces, the tale of a 2500 year old struggle between the civilised Romans and the more barbaric Volscians successfully being preserved and not sacrificed to contemporary politics. This is still first and foremost the tragedy of one man.
Modern Warfare, 2500 years in the making.
Overall the modern setting is successful if a little jarring at times. It's odd to see a military figure lauded as a hero or a man in a suit spouting Shakespearean cant, but once you get past the initial disorientation the story takes care of the rest, as do the action scenes. While these aren't extensive, they are well choreographed as is the fight between Caius Marcius and Tulfus Aufidius. My only complaint was that there wasn't more of it, that a few more explosions and a bigger battle would hardly of compromised the Shakespearean tone. But hey, that could just be my Die Hard side talking.
The problem Coriolanus has is that it's a little too far outside the norm for literary buffs and not Hollywood enough for the majority of film goers. It would definitely explain the films overall poor performance, but it would be unfair to judge it by this alone. Shakespeare naturally puts many of us off, memories of hours pouring over one work or another forever seared into our brains. So, what I would say is give Coriolanus a chance to change your minds. Now that you're a little older, a little wiser, the language is far from insurmountable and leaves you feeling pretty clever come the closing credits. How many movies can claim that?
