The Tempest (2010) REVISIT

At the time of writing this director Julie Taymor has directed two filmed adaptations of Shakespeare's plays. While her Tempest isn't as shocking and audacious as her Titus, the film remains as visually striking and as subversive. Her trick here is to switch genders on the main character, Prospero (Prospera here), and casting Mirren as the wizard seeking revenge. It allows the play to examine patriarchy as well as colonialism.

Taymor once again pulls a rabbit out of a hat by taking a rather small budget and making out of it something visually striking. From her costumes, to the art direction, to her cinematography The Tempest is a memorably unique and lush film. The Tempest must make us believe in magic and Taymor is right up to that task. The reaction to this film at the time of release was not positive but for me, over time, it has grown on me as a fascinating adaptation.

The cast is remarkable and a big part of the what works for me in this adaptation is Taymor's casting. Cooper is wonderful as the villainous Antonio, reveling in his ursurping his sister's reign. And with him Cumming is strong as his duplicitous ally the Prince. Here he is less over the top than she had him be in Titus yet still eccentric enough. Together they are both just the right amoutn of evil without exploiting it. Hounsou wonderfully embodies the full complex humanity of Caliban, treated at every turn as a creature. Brand and Molina play off each other hilariously as the comedic relief. And Winshaw does just what he always does well, playing otherworldly elegance as the fairy Ariel. For me the only weaker parts are Jones and Carney as the young lovers but perhaps it's because their parts are the least interesting and not due to their performances, Jones especially brings all she can to what is a dull role. Yet still there is a difference in the way her character relates to her mother which feels different, perhaps deeper than when the role has a father instead. There is a desire in Mirren to give her daughter a better world than she faced that is palpable.

Sometimes Taymor lets the story drag a bit. There are times I wish she had been a bit more judicious in her editing and in her adaptation of the story.  But what she does I enjoy. As I said I like the way she uses the story to explore gendered access to office in society. Also, I like her post-modern treatment of Caliban which critiques colonialism in ways Shakespeare himself only hinted at.

But in the end her talent most expressly reveals itself in her visual style, that gives this magical tale a true feeling of magic.

The Tempest
Starring: Helen Mirren, Ben Whishaw, Djimon Hounsou, Felicity Jones, David Strathairn, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming, Alfred Molina, Russell Brand, Reeve Carney
Director: Julie Taymor
Writers: William Shakespeare, Julie Taymor