The Tempest

[funthing29]

Twas nice to see the Q&A with Helen Mirren before the film. She is so elegant and sophisticated and she always comes off as charming and articulate in interviews. She really got me hyped for the film which I feel was a let down. The man at the door warned tickets had been oversubscribed but the screening was only about 80% full.

I don't watch a lot of Shakespeare - I have nothing against his work but it requires a lot of concentration as I have to mentally translate the dialogue as I watch it. I had also never seen or read The Tempest before so didn't know the story.

The film felt like a child had been let loose in the editing room. The special effects were way OTT and seemed ridiculous in some parts (like the director was playing around with the visual effects settings). It started off strong and Helen Mirren gave a solid performance but after an hour I became restless which is a sign that my attention is lapsing (apologies to Beate and her OH behind me for fidgeting ). The supporting cast were competent, and Alfred Molina was a highlight, but Russell Brand??!! Come on!! Did he sign on for free or something? He immediately dilutes the acting cred on show here. He slaughtered Shakespeare with "nuffin" rather than "nothing" and didn't seem to be acting at all but was playing himself. He was irritating and I question the director's judgement in casting him at all.

Overall the film was too long and went whacky in the use of visual effects. The scenery was brilliant though and the locations work well with the mood and tone of the film. Mirren was strong and her powerful performance is the best thing about the film. 4.5/10.

[Beate]

after an hour I became restless which is a sign that my attention is lapsing (apologies to Beate and her OH behind me for fidgeting ).

I didn't notice at all. I was either asleep at the time, fighting with a major yawning bout or thinking about Cork.

And yep, if it was oversubscribed, a lot of people didn't bother turning up.

[Beate]

I should have read this before I went:
http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/the-t ... 38793.html

[Kaybeelon]

And I thought I was the only one who couldn't stand Russell Brand. If he is a Sex God or any other God I will become an atheist right away!

As for FMUKlers I only spotted Beate (&OH) and the two ladies in front of here. Were there many others?

As for the film there were several things that didn't quite work. And I am not sure they were all just technical. I did not feel really involved, the acting felt a little 2-dimensional, there wasn't enough presence in the voices which against the background music and/or noises were sometimes difficult to understand - especially at the beginning. The diction of the actor's was not brilliant, either, which doesn't help with Shakespearean English ... 2011 haircuts perfectly styled (a la rough) after ... how many years on the Island? Eyeliner for the ladies and the gentlemen cleanly shaven fresh form the shipwreck?

But I thought the costumes were amazing (all these zips) and some of the special effects were fascinating ... All in all I am glad I saw it in the cinema, though, as I don't think it would work on the small screen.

[TheDude]

I liked the Old Vic production last year so I'm curious to see this, though judging by the reviews I won't rush out and p*y for it...

[Beate]

As for FMUKlers I only spotted Beate (&OH) and the two ladies in front of here. Were there many others?

You sat next to prettyxcool + OH. Behind them towards the middle were ejwrank with family. In front of us were funthing29 + Mum, next to us were 5rannoch and milkchocmonkey.

[Beate]

I was kind of astonished by Helen Mirren's claim that there will be two major films out this weekend (which ones are they?) but neither of them will be around in 20 years' time whereas this one will as it is Shakespeare. What, even if it is rubbish Shakespeare?

[Kaybeelon]

You sat next to prettyxcool + OH.

That is indeed pretty cool. We even had a nice chat. I should have smelled a rat when she mentioned having seen Unknown ...

[Kaybeelon]

I was kind of astonished by Helen Mirren's claim that there will be two major films out this weekend (which ones are they?) but neither of them will be around in 20 years' time

Perhaps Unknown and ... ? Rango?

[ejwrank]

Well I was disappointed with the film although I thought that Helen Mirren and Felicity Jones were both good in their roles and I liked the idea of changing Prospero to Prospera. They spoke clearly and well but the rest of it was weak. I don't think it's just me (I am getting pretty ancient) but I thought the sound was awful and Caliban and Ariel were so inaudible that I certainly would have preferred seeing this in the theatre and actually hearing the text.

Still it was good to see Dame Helen in real life and both she and Felicity Jones came across very well although the Telegraph guy who was asking the questions certainly was nervous -- starstruck maybe?