Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest, is coming to the big screen once again with the Hollywood magic of special effects and an eclectic group of highly talented actors. The movie stars Oscar winner Helen Mirren under the direction of Julie Taymor. The other actors include Jeremy Irons, Russell Brand, Djimon Hounsou, Chris Copper, Felicity Jones and Alfred Molina.
Taymor changed the gender of the main character, a sorcerer, of the story by casting Mirren, who now has the name Prospera, the Duchesses (was Duke) of Milan. Prospera has been marooned on an island after being usurped by her brother.
Prospera’s journey twists and turns through mystical vengeance to forgiveness as she presides over a magical island and cares for her young daughter, Miranda (Jones). Through the magic of Hollywood’s special effects technique and computer generated images, Prospera releases her powers against shipwrecked enemies in this exhilarating, masterful combination of supernatural, tragicomedy and romance.
There have been two other big screen versions, some barely following the original story: Derek Jarman’s 1979 sexualized version and Paul Mazurasky’s 1982 contemporary version. Taymor’s version is projected to follow Shakespeare’s text, save the gender change of the lead character.
Mirren is using the magical powers of the island. In the second picture Russell Brand is being chased by Alfred Molina. But I love the poster because if you look at the top image, it appears to be Mirren raging as a silver force to be reckoned with. I am excited about this movie and looking forward to seeing Mirren as Prospera.
The Tempest opens in movie theaters December 10, 2010.
I hardly ever get a chance to quote Shakespeare, so I am going to take advantage of Taymor’s production and quote a verse from The Tempest:
Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices
That, if I then had waked after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,
The clouds methought would open and show riches
Ready to drop upon me that, when I waked,
I cried to dream again.
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1 Comment
After he posted the photo showing how she looks first thing on Twitter, maybe Katy Perry is starting to think husband Russell Brand’s one boy maybe she shouldn’t have kissed. At all. Ever. It wasn’t nice of him at all.