One of the best parts of learning Shakespeare is, like many plays, the wealth of Hollywood film adaptations that are available for the audience to dive even deeper into the work of the Bard. In this particular class, we have been able to witness scenes from 1999's A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1993's Much Ado About Nothing, and 1995's Othello, all of which have enhanced the learning experience and comprehension of the material (that's a nod to you, Professor Mulready).
There are many pros to the handling of Shakespeare's work by Hollywood. For instance, film has allowed for mass audiences to witness the acting prowess of artists like Kenneth Branagh, who possesses a mastery of the material and spirit of the work that allows him to dive into the whimsy of Much Ado and the grim of Othello (years of stage experience no doubt assisted in this prowess, according to a biography). Also, film allows for the plays, once confined to a stage, to be opened up into the real world; countryside cinematography, an enhancement of emotional responses are of the many qualities that a Hollywood production can amplify in a way that theater can not.
And yet, there are many cons to Shakespeare's journey to Tinseltown. While masters like Branagh make the cut, as do quizzical castings like Keanu "Whoa" Reeves in Much Ado and Lawrence "Cowboy Curtis" Fishburne in Othello. Shakespearean work is often a tricky affair (timing of the pauses, for instance) and most productions that exist solely on American actors often possess a flavor-of-the-week mentality and a marketing eye, which in turn leads to a performance that often equals "awkward" instead of "awe" of tradition. (even though I will admit that the extremely American Midsummer adaptation was really good)
As time goes on, one wonders what play will be next earn a trip into the proverbial plastic surgery that is Hollywood, and if the results will lead to an appreciation and embrace of the art, or a psychotic bearhug of the desire for the box office.
***LINKS***
A Midsummer Night's Dream trailer
Much Ado About Nothing trailer
Othello trailer
3 comments:
I've enjoyed watching the film adaptations in class; seeing Shakespeare brought to life not only makes the material so much easier to comprehend, but it also communicates the storyline much better than text does. Shakespeare's work is meant to be interpreted on stage...or in our modern world, on film as well.
I agree Hollywood totally changes the plays. The movies we've seen so far have taken the plays quite literally though, what becomes even more interesting is when you start looking at the films that take the Shakespearean Plays and adapt them into Modern settings like The Taming of the Shrew into 10 Things I Hate About You or Othello into O and of course my personal favorite of them all, Romeo and Juliet (into several different films, including Baz Lurhmann's version but not my favorite) Hallmark's The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns That one has an element of A Midsummer Night's Dream to it too.
It's certainly a testament to Shakespeare's durability that his plays have found outlet in so many cultural forms: film, opera, television, even anime.
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