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Richard III
(***1/2)
When I first read the Shakespeare play of "Richard III", I could never imagine anyone who could suitably play the character with the gusto and venom necessary. Since then, I have seen a few versions of Richard III on film, but nothing holds quite the power as Ian McKellen playing the ruthless king.
Richard III is an update, while still taking the original dialogue from the play. Of course, the dialogue has been trimmed to suit a shorter running time, but that doesn't detract from the power. The film now takes place in a 1930's England, where two warring royal houses are fighting over the crown. In the opening scene, a large tank bursts into the Kings home and a masked man murders him in cold blood. Taking off the mask, we find out it's none other than Richard (McKellen) himself.
Soon his brother (John Wood) is crowned King Edward, and Richard feigns delight at his family's prosperous times. Only Edward's wife Elizabeth (Bening) and the dead king's widow Lady Anne (Thomas) suspect anything. Unfortunately, Richard plays his cards well and he has manipulated Lady Anne to marry him, much as she hates it.
Quickly, Richard reveals to us his plans, and also his motives. He's a scarred man; the left side of his body is mostly useless. Seeing his healthy brother so prosperous hurts him, and he quickly sets to work to get rid of Edward's heirs. First must go his brother Clarence (Hawthorne), a simple and trusting character that has no reason to fear when he's sent to the Tower of London. Then King Edward himself...
But I reveal too much! If you know the play, or even your history, you'll know what happens. But knowing what happens doesn't matter as much as seeing how it's done here. Even fellow lovers of the play will love the update. Any true Shakespeare purist will realize that it's not really the location that matters to the film. Hell, we live in a time where Hamlet delivers soliloquies in a Blockbuster. All that matters is the message, and Ian McKellen is a true lover of the source material. It's him that gives real fire to his character, as he has done with every role I have seen him in the last few years.
I can't wait for The Lord of the Rings. The thought of seeing Gandalf living and breathing gives me goosebumps. McKellen will play it well.