Roland Emmerich's Anonymous - a Review

Since the mid-1800s, a controversy about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays has been debated back and forth. "Anonymous" is the culmination of that debate that tries to reconcile those theories by offering what, by some, is the most plausible, and the most probable author. Disaster director Roland Emmerich ("The Day After Tomorrow," "2012"), along with writer John Orloff ("Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole") put together a film, not so much about William Shakespeare himself, but about the political intrigue within the court of Queen Elizabeth I played by mother and daughter team of Joley Richards and Vanessa Redgrave. As a period piece, Emmerich does a great job of bringing us this story in such a way that not only is easy to understand, but in many ways captivating. Although not a true story in a historical context, Orloff's script does provides a reasonable doubt about who wrote Shakespeare's plays. 

Starting in modern day England, famed Shakespearian actor Derek Jacobi "(I Claudius," "Underworld: Revolution") arrives at a theater and quickly takes the stage and provides "evidence" that the works of Shakespeare are not in fact his. In fact, Jacobi is indeed an Oxfordian, one who supports the idea that the 16^th Earl of Oxford is truly the author of Shakespeare's plays. Flashing back to the late 1500s near the end of the Elizabeth I's reign, "Anonymous" focuses on Edward de Veres, the 16^th Earl of Oxford, Ben Jonson, a playwright of that era, and The Earl of Essex, who is the supposed bastard child of Elizabeth. The film also centers on the Queen's Secretary of State, Sir William Cecil and his son Robert, a hunchback. Oh yes, also on William Shakespeare, an actor in Jonson's troupe also plays a role as well. Robert Cecil reminds us that the late Elizabethan was also the era of the Puritans and their rebuke of all things that bring pleasure, like art, poetry, secular music, and that plays are considered an act of idolatry and a sin. 

As this is historical fiction, and as Shakespeare did in his plays, the author has taken a bit of poetic license in how he wants his characters portrayed. The film has a tendency to jump even further back in time to the early of Elizabeth's reign, and then back to the "present." Joley Richardson plays the young Elizabeth as a woman not only as a beauty who loves life, but is also somewhat of a cougar in the modern sense. In one scene De Veres is a young man in probably his early 20s who has done some traveling to Europe, which is a total come on to Liz. Their affair is brief, however does produce a child. 

The Cecils, both William (David Thewlis of Harry Potter fame) and Robert (Edward Hogg) both want to hold on to their power by any means. Like Worm Tongue, they sow the seeds of conspiracy in Elizabeth's ear throughout her reign and throughout the film. Not only are they privy to the Queen's affairs, both illicit and legal, they use that knowledge to their advantage. As an aged, dying William tells his son Robert, they will win with cunning and ruthlessness. 

Rhys Ifans ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1," "Elizabeth: The Golden Age") plays de Veres, the Earl of Oxford as a repressed poet and playwright. He is the son in-law of William Cecil and brother in-law to Robert Cecil, Elizabeth's closest advisors. As many may know, Elizabeth was reluctant to marry, and failed to name an heir. The Cecil's felt that James I of Scotland would be controllable on the English throne, however, Oxford, and his supporters felt that Essex, the illegitimate heir, but a Tudor would be a better choice. Oxford, once providing plays for the queen during his youth is now a man who the Cecils hold captive serving no role in government, no role in the military, and no role in general other than wanting his plays to be heard. Having a child with Elizabeth, although married to William Cecil's daughter Anne, Edward also had a child with one of the Queen's handmaidens. Upon hearing of this child, Liz has Edward banished from court. 

Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto), England's first Poet Laureate is portrayed as a petty, and jealous man. Jonson is selected by Oxford to produce his plays, and to claim them as his own. This is not only a moral issue for Jonson, but also one of ego. Unable to write plays as great as Oxford's; he refuses to applaud during them. Rafe Spall ("Hot Fuzz" and the upcoming "Prometheus") portrays Shakespeare as a backstabbing drunken blackmailer who bypasses Jonson, and goes directly to blackmail Oxford. Throughout the story, one has to remember that history is written by the winners. 

Unlike his disaster films, Emmerich balances, the pace of the film by not rushing, but by not lingering on scenes unnecessarily. The language for the most part is devoid of thees and thous, unless it is a scene from any of the many plays they show brief scenes from. The music selected for this film, is not of the period, but instead classical pieces utilized to invoke a mood for the scene. During Edward's wedding to Anne, Mozart's Requiem is playing giving the feeling of a funeral, rather than a joyful occasion, as that what is was for Edward, the death of his literary ambitions. Ultimately this film will give viewers a reason to doubt, but more importantly to delve into Shakespeare's writings, whoever he was, and enjoy his work from a new perspective.

Movie Data

Genre: Drama, History, Thriller 

Year:  2011

Staring: Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, Sebastian Armesto, Rafe Spall, David Thewlis

Director: Roland Emmerich

Producer(s): Roland Emmerich, Robert Leger 

Writer: John Orloff

Rating: PG-13

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42 ~ Not Just A Baseball Story

“It don’t matter what I believe, it is what I do.”  ~ Jackie Robinson 

America has an ugly past, and as we move into the second decade of the 21st century, Brian Helgeland's film “42”  takes us back to that racist, segregationist, and discriminatory, past. “42”focuses on a time shortly after the Second World War when the troops, both black and white, were returning to civilian life. “42” is one of those movies that come up once in a while that not only has  great acting, interesting characters, above par production values, and most of all, a message, that we as Americans should take note of.  This is a film about a man who decides to take up a crusade for Civil Rights within the sport of baseball.

That man was Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), businessman, innovator, and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball club.  However, Rickey needed a partner; he needed a man of courage, integrity, and skill, who was from the black Negro baseball league.  Looking through the rosters and the files of team members, Ricky finds one man -- the right man.  Ricky's ally was an African-American by the name of Jack Roosevelt Robinson (Chadwick Boseman).  Robinson, a young lieutenant in the US army during World War Two, who was court martialed for not relinquishing his seat on an army bus.  When asked by the Dodger's promotions manager Harold Parrott, why Robinson?  Rickey's answer was "Because I am a Methodist. Robinson is a Methodist, and God is a Methodist!"

Born in Cairo Georgia in 1919 Robinson who, while still a baby moved to Pasadena California, and played on the University of California, Los Angeles's racially integrated baseball team.  Known for his stance on not backing down, his deftness with a bat, his fielding, and his skill at stealing bases, would Robinson accept Ricky's terms?  Hegeland's writing and directing, move this film along quickly, showing Robinson's transition from the Negro League's Kansas City Monarchs to one of Rickey's farm team, the Montreal Royals, and then finally to the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Some of the most poignant scenes in “42” are between Rickey and Robinson.  Branch Rickey had been pushing for racial integration for some time, and he was shrewd at strategizing this coup.  What he wanted from Robinson was a man who "God built to last," and "Who had the guts not to fight back."  We see it today, where many celebrities are heckled, have cameras shoved in their face, and generally annoyed, Robinson had it worse and he was able to control himself.  As Rickey counsels Robinson at his interview, “the only thing the public will remember is how the Negro lost his temper.”  Alan Tudyk of "Firefly" and "Serenity" fame, plays Phillies' manager Ben Chapman.  Chapman is probably the worst of all the racist characters that this film explores.  Chapman, who grew up in the south, is open about his feelings about Jackie.  Shouting words that we haven’t heard since Quentin Tarantino‘s “Django Unchained.”

Harrison plays Rickey as a fiery preacher on an abolitionist roll.  Telling - Yelling at the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds "When you die and meet God, and he asks you why you wouldn't play against Jackie Robinson; And you tell him that it was because he was a Negro,  I don't think he will find that satisfactory."  On the field, writer/director Helgeland wants the viewer to feel the tension and the hate from other teams.  Racism is learned, as displayed by a father yelling racial and hateful epithets at Robinson in Ohio.  The boy follow suit.  Helgeland, infuses, the film with legendary and historic acts of courage.  During that game, shortstop, and team captain, Peewee Reese (Lucas Black), comes out while the crowd is booing and shouting, and puts his arm around Jackie.  Helegend uses this factual incident to play on the audiences emotions.  It works.

Notable mentions go to actress Nicole Beharie ("American Violet") as Robinson's wife   —  Rachel.  Beharie shows us a woman who respects and cares for her husband, and like him, tends to buck the system.  “Scrubs"actor John C. McGinley plays Dodger broadcaster Red Barber.  Playing Red, McGinley gives a performance that energizes the film in a way a good baseball announcers energizes and keeps the momentum of the game going.  Watching this film is like watching a real baseball game at the stadium, you get the excitement of the play, the action, and you can almost smell the newly mowed grass.  However, like being at Ebbets field without a program, you are not sure of who all the players are.  So, if you are planning to see "42," I have some player information for you down below, plus the link to the Baseball Almanac website.  


Throughout the film, like an angel (messenger), Mr. Helgeland, uses reporter Wendell Smith (Andre Holland - "1600 Penn," "Miracle at St. Anna") to guide the viewer along and to explain to both Robinson and us about the importance of what Branch Rickey is trying to do.  Not just for Jackie Robinson, but for all African-Americans.  You see, Wendell has to sit near third base with his typewriter on his lap, because he, being African-Americans are not allowed in the broadcast booth.  Robinson can't do this alone and learns to depend on his team, and on his friends.

What becomes painfully noticeable to us, the gentle viewer, is how different this world has become.  As the audience, and myself watched as a line of African-Americans flow into the baseball stadium, the camera tilts up slowly to reveal a sign over the entryway -- "Colored." A quiet gasp sounded from the audience. Like Jackie, I too grew up in Southern California where Jim Crow in the areas that I lived were not as pronounced.  By the time of my generation, athletes like Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron and Willy Mays were household names.  We can only imagine the pain and anguish that our fellow men and women had to endure.  A scene between, Rickey and Robinson, once again, shows not only the suffering, but also how Branch Rickey's faith and morality comes through and likens Jackie's torment to Christ's by Satan. These are the times that Boseman's acting is the most effective. He plays Robinson as a man holding back his rage, but also a man of faith.  In order to keep the pacing flowing, Brian Helgeland only briefly alludes to, and briefly touches on these aspects of both men's characters. I think this was a wise choice. There is a definite patriotic stature to this film.  Mark Isham's score is powerful and grandiose at times, but definitely stirs the emotions.  The audience gets equal doses of Rickey's trials while building momentum of racial integration. While Helgeland intertwines  Robinson's perspective of the abuse and triumph of the cause.  “42” celebrates Jackie's determinism, fierceness, restraint, and his faith in himself, and in his team.  Ultimately, this film is as American as mom, baseball, and apple pie.

Robinson's final stats: batting average of 311,  1,518 hits, 137 home runs, 734 RBIs, and 197 stolen bases.

Movie Data

Genre:  History, Sports, Drama

Year:  2013

Staring: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Alan Tudyk, Christopher Meloni, Lucas Black, John C. McGinley

Director: Brian Helgeland

Producer(s)Thomas Tull

Writer: Brian Helgeland

Rating: PG-13

1947 Dodger Roster

C         #10     Bruce Edwards * not shown

C         #24     Bobby Bragan (Derek Phillips) *

1B       #42     Jackie Robinson  (Chadwick Boseman)

2B       #12     Eddie Stanky  (Jesse Luken)

3B       #21    Spider Jorgensen (Jamie Ruehling)

SS       #1       Pee Wee Reese (Lucas Black)

LF       #22    Gene Hermanski (Blake Sanders)

CF       #6       Carl Furillo (Johnny Knight) *

RF       #11    Dixie Walker (Ryan Merriman) *

Starting Pitchers

#20     Ralph Branca (Hamish Linklater)

#13     Kirby Higbe (Brad Beyer)*

*Denotes the players that signed the anti-integration petition.

More 1947 Brooklyn Dodger statistics

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1947&t=BR

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Kingdom of Heaven

What man is a man who doesn't make the world better?

With Robin Hood coming out this Friday, May 14, (2010) I thought I would get in the mood for a Ridley Scott period piece. "Kingdom of Heaven," set in the same period of Robin Hood and the Third Crusade, is as I see it, Ridley Scott's practice film before doing Robin Hood. Starring Orlando Bloom ("Pirates of the Caribbean"), as Balian of Ibelin and Eva Green ("Casino Royale"), The "Kingdom of Heaven" chronicles the causes of the fall of the Crusaders and the loss of Jerusalem. This review is of the DVD version with a boatload of special features. Scott knows how to put together action-adventure with a mix of history, see "Black Hawk Down", which tells captivating, entertaining stories. Don't expect a History Channel documentary, in "Kingdom of Heaven;" expect a classic three-act drama, a touch of romance, and a lot of sword fighting.

"Kingdom of Heaven" begins in 1081, in the French countryside, at a crossroad, where medieval priests bury suicides, as the souls of the suicides have lost their way. The suicide that the priest is burying is the wife of Balian, the blacksmith. Balian's wife, after the loss of their child, takes her own life. Liam Neeson, ("Taken, Clash of the Titans") stars as Godfrey of Ibelin passing through the town in search of his illegitimate son, Balian. Finding his son(Bloom), tells the young man who he is and asks him to join back in the Holy Land. For almost 40 years, the Holy Land has been at relative peace with the Muslims. After internal power struggles between the Muslims, changed and a new leader seized power and unites the Muslims under his rule, that leader is Saladin. Balian, at first refuses, but after an altercation with a priest, Balian follows the man who claims to be his father. After some sword fighting lessons, the soldiers of the bishop wanting revenge for the dead priest attack the Crusaders. Godfrey and his men defend Balian and during the battle, a soldier wounds Godfrey. The group travels to Sicily, where Godfrey knights Balian, his father on his deathbed. With Balian as the new leader of Godfrey's men, they travel by ship across the Mediterranean where they during a violent storm are shipwrecked. The lone survivor, Balian travels across the desert until he finds a small oasis. Drinking at the oasis, Balian finds his father's horse that too survived the shipwreck. Confronted by a Muslim officer and his servant, Imad (Alexander Siddig - "Deep Space 9") Balian battles the officer and kills him. Taking Imad as a guide, they travel to Jerusalem, where the two part company. Balian has a short discussion with Imad, explaining his philosophy of being a "good knight." The key to this film is not so much the truth of the Crusades, and the truth of how knights historically did behave, instead, it focuses on how a Christian Knight, should behave. Balian releases Imad as his servant and guide and gives him his stallion as a gift. Imad tells Balian "Even your enemies will hear of your greatness."

"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless do no wrong that is your oath."

Balian meets up with his father's knights, and they take him to Godfrey's house in Jerusalem, where Balian meets the princess of Jerusalem, Sibylla (Eva Green), and the sister of leprous King Baldwin IV (Edward Norton). Although we never see Edward Norton, as he wears a mask throughout the film, he lends a voice that allows one to envision a man decaying from the inside out. Sibylla's husband is Guy de Lusignan, a French knight, whose political ambitions are set squarely on the throne of Jerusalem. Guided by an unnamed, and mysterious knight, played by David Thewlis (Harry Potter) a Knight Hospitaller, introduces Balian to the Tiberias (Jeremy Irons), the Marshall of Jerusalem. The Marshall, an advisor to the king, and an adversary to Raynald of Châtillon (Brendan Gleeson) a crazy Templar, a hater of Muslims, whose goal is to start a war with Saladin, the Muslim leader. Balian meets the masked king, Baldwin IV and pledges to serve him as his father had done before him. Balian retires to his castle of Ibelin and sets about to improve his lands by digging water wells and start farming. Sibylla shows up and starts an affair with Balian, explaining that her marriage to Guy is one of convenience, arranged by her mother for political reasons only. She knows her brother is dying, and that she will eventually become the Queen, Sibylla essentially hints to Balian that she will gladly divorce Guy for Balian if he wishes. Raynald of Châtillon and Guy, in the meantime, are raiding and slaughtering Muslim caravans. If Balian is the hero of the "Kingdom of Heaven," then Saladin (Ghassan Massoud) is the real hero of the Crusades.

The history behind "The Kingdom of Heaven" is flawed at best and outright wrong at worst. Ridley Scott and writer William Monahan take plenty of narrative licenses with the history behind this era of the crusades. Pulling characters, like Balian out of their native settings, blending several historical characters into one, and making up a romance that historically didn't exist, and Ridley Scott, makes no apologies, for this as long, it creates intriguing characters, and compelling stories. Watching the DVD, the bonus features point out (as well a check into my history books) the many historical liberties that Scott made throughout the film. However, the cinematography in "Kingdom of Heaven" is breathtaking; the killing scenes are tasteful and not excessive. Orlando Bloom, like his character in Pirates of the Caribbean, starts his career as a blacksmith and rises in rank to a soldier. Eva Green's character, Sibylla the Queen of Jerusalem is mysterious, as is Eva herself. Brendan Gleeson as Raynald is the only character I have issues with, although the historical characterization of Raynald of Châtillon as mad (as in crazy) Gleeson's acting, leaves me cold. I liked Gleeson better in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," and his performance in "Cold Mountain," I found touching and realistic. "Kingdom of Heaven" is almost 2.5 hours of action sequence after action sequence. In these 2.5 hours, Scott feels compelled to tell about nine years of historical fiction very quickly, leaving little time for character development. Each main and supporting character receives bits and pieces of dialog spread out throughout the film to build their character. No character other than Balian and Sibylla has time to develop. Syrian actor Ghassan Massoud's Saladin character stands out above the rest, not only for his character's philosophy, but also for the presence he imparts to that character. Based on the historical accounts, Massoud looks and acts like what I picture Saladin would look and act like. A quick nod to Harry Gregson-Williams for a score that takes the viewer to an older, stranger, alien, yet beautiful place that is the Kingdom of Heaven.

When Kingdom of Heaven came out in 2005, critics gave it relatively poor reviews. Rotten Tomatoes lists it at a 39% of a fresh rating. The Box Office Mojo website reports that when released back in May of 2005, Kingdom brought in $47,398,413 domestically, and $211,652,051 in worldwide distribution. My take on the film, is that it is worth renting again, give it another view, and get ready for Russell Crowe as Robin Hood.

Movie Data

Genre:  Action, Adventure, History
Year:  2005
Staring: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, Jeremy Irons
Director:  Ridley Scott
Producer(s) Ridley Scott
Writer: William Monahan
Rating: R
Running Time: 144 minutes
Release Date: 5/6/2005

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