I missed Looking for Richard when it was in the movie theaters, so when I noticed it would be on television last night, I cranked it into my schedule. I grew up in theater - first doing acting, then design and directing, and now writing. I love the process of theatrical collaboration. This process is the central story of this film. A group of actors led by Al Pacino (and including Kevin Spacy, Winona Ryder and Kevin Kline) are doing a film version of Shakespeare's Richard III. This documentary follows the process of casting, designing and interpreting the story. I was glued to this movie from the beginning.
I would like to see this film included as part of every high school history curriculum. Shakespeare is not historically accurate, but watching the actors research and grow to understand the times of Richard III adds insight to the process of historians. There is an understanding that most students don't have. History is made by people with their own agendas. Seeing Richard III and seeing the actors grapple with what the individual and group agendas of people were will be helpful to the student who is trying to understand any period of history.
This film should also be part of every study of English literature. There is discussion here of the history of literature, of how Shakespeare's writing changed. The play of Richard III is presented between discussions of what is going on. It is possible to understand the play from these discussions, and yet a student studying the play will still have to delve into it more for himself. This movie will ease the way for those who are studying a Shakespeare play for the first or second time, and yet it will not take all the work from the student. He or she will still have to read it.
This film should also be part of any acting course. It is one thing to discuss "method" acting, but to see professionals struggle through the process is enlightening.
I would not recommend this film for younger children. The issues it deals with are too complex for them. There is a little kissing in the clips from the production of Richard III, but no sex. There is considerable violence in these clips also. The main issue is, however, that this is simply a mature movie for mature audiences. The kids, for the most part, won't get it.
I would recommend this movie for a group of friends who enjoy going to theater together. It would be fine for a rainy day. It certainly beats watching regular television. I wouldn't recommend it as a date movie. There are no cuddly places here. This movie will stimulate your mind.
Al Pacino is one of the most intelligent and sensitive actors we have working today. The cast he assembles and the process he goes through are intriguing. This movie is both educational and entertaining at the highest level. My only regret in watching it was that I did not have it on video or dvd. I could not turn back when a particular line or idea caught my attention. I could not take the time to savor this as I would have liked to. I am going to make the rare move of purchasing this movie. I will use it as a teacher, but I will love it myself.
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