King Lear...

[fajrdrako]

This evening I watched the Ian McKellen 2008 version of King Lear with commodorified, raynedaze, and auriaephialia.

First off, King Lear is far from my favourite Shakespeare. One of my least favourite. So grim, so many nasty people betraying their families, so little hope for anyone. But I've seen some terrific productions - my first sight of Ralph Fiennes (as Edmund) was unforgettable.

This one was good. Good enough to draw me in emotionally. A lot of the credit goes to Ian McKellen, who is endearing enough to soften the harsh and often cruel character of Lear.

1. It was a Royal Shakespeare Company production, and, typically, had some of the oddities of RSC productions that seem to have been a tradition since at least the 1970s. Not much colour in the costumes, lots of black and white, a certain type of enunciation and acting. Though I thought Goneril sounded as if she had an incongruous North London accent. (Not that I have any kind of an ear for British accents.)
   
   
2. As usual, I keep confusing Goneril and Regan, and their respective husbands, Cornwall and Albany. I've never seen a production in which I could keep them straight. I thought Goneril looked like Miss Hannigan in Doctor Who: The Next Doctor, with a huge skirt and red dress, dark hair and pail skin, and a cold manner against a dull background when everyone else was in monochrome.
   
   
3. I thought Philip Winchester was great as Edmund, though for the first half of the movie I thought he'd wandered out of Wuthering Heights (the storm and the setting reinforced that impression), and for the second half, where he was more militaristic, it was as if he had stepped out of a Sharpe movie, complete with effete, posh sneer.
   
   
4. I always love the scene where Edgar lies to his father about the cliff.
   
   
5. Sylvester McCoy made a very odd fool. Oddly dressed in a patterned Edwardian dressing gown, he consistently looked more like the Doctor than a Shakespearean Fool - though I've seen Shakespearean Fools of all types, shapes, and genders.
   
   
6. The vaguely eastern-European vaguely-19th century costuming seemed somewhat out of place to me. I kept thinking of Barrayar.
   
   
7. After the show, we were shown Ian McKellen's comments on Lear. One interesting thing he said was that he thought, throughout the course of the play, Lear lost his faith in the gods. I'd never considered that before, but it seemed right.
   
   
   

Comments

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I just got through watching it, too. What I don't understand is why the language was so unintelligible, unless it was just bad audio while recording a stage play rather than the movie versions I'm used to. I have no problems with understanding and following the language in the movie versions, but that was like listening through a closed door or something.

I did like the acting, and I did like many parts of this version. I really liked Romola Garai as Cordelia -- she was in Branagh's movie of As You Like It, and she was, alas, one of the few good things in that movie (between that and his musical of Love's Labour's Lost, Ken seems to have lost his touch with the Shakespeare movies since Hamlet, alas).

But you are right about Lear being depressing. It's about a stupid, naive old man, a bunch of people who take advantage of him, and a few poor souls who stick by him and pay for it with their lives. I've always liked Shakespeare's comedies better than his tragedies. Except for Hamlet, that is. But Hamlet is in a class by itself.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

What I don't understand is why the language was so unintelligible, unless it was just bad audio while recording a stage play rather than the movie versions I'm used to.

For a good part of it I was reading along with the text - which was helpful in knowing what they were saying, but tricky because they cut so many lines, and it isn't the same as paying attention to the screen all along.

I wish Branagh was still doing Shakespeare movies. I loved them all, even Love's Labours Lost. I'd love to see what he did with Lear. I wonder who he'd cast.

It's about a stupid, naive old man

A stupid, naive, and rather cruel old man. But that's the point, of course- so many of the characters are so easily corrupted.

I've always liked Shakespeare's comedies better than his tragedies.

I'd have to think about that. I love Hamlet so much. And I love the histories, but they're another category. Yes, I prefer the comedies, too, I think. But it also depends on the production.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I wish Branagh was still doing Shakespeare movies. I loved them all, even Love's Labours Lost. I'd love to see what he did with Lear. I wonder who he'd cast.

I don't hate LLL. AAMOF, I own a copy, in my endless completist Branagh and/or Shakespearean movie canon quest. But it's not my favorite, and his most recent Shakespeare movie, the set-in-Japan version of As You Like It, did absolutely nothing for me.

There are exceptions to my general rule of the comedies being my favorite -- I love Branagh's versions of Hamlet and Henry V, and McKellen's version of Richard III. The Fishburne/Branagh version of Othello is good, too (Branagh didn't direct that one, though).

And for none of those do I have to have the book in my lap in order to understand the dialog [g]. Which is one reason I've never been fond of those 70s-era BBC productions, either.

I don't know how Ken teaches his actors to speak the dialog naturally, but whatever he does with them, it's bloody brilliant. I wish all Shakespearean directors would do what he does.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed both the Branagh As You Like It and Love's Labours Lost . But I would agree they weren't nearly as good as his Much Ado (which is one of my favourite movies ever), his Hamlet, his Othello or his HenryV. I liked them better, however, than all the other movie versions of Shakespeare plays I have seen except for The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, and the Richard III with Ian McKellen. I think most movie versions of Shakespeare are unwatchable.

(What, me, a theatre snob? Heh. I'm the one who gripes that RSC isn't often good enough.)

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I liked them better, however, than all the other movie versions of Shakespeare plays I have seen

I haven't seen that version of Merchant. I'll have to see if I can put it on my Netflix queue.

I think most movie versions of Shakespeare are unwatchable.

Anything that was made before, say, 1988 surely falls into that category. And a few made after that date. I still haven't forgiven Laurence Olivier for what he did to Hamlet, who is not a man who couldn't make up his mind, or Mel Gibson for his version -- Hamlet was not in love with his mother, dammit.

I do, however, like the Zeffirelli version of Romeo and Juliet. Esp. compared to Baz Luhrman's travesty (how the same director could film both that mess and the wonderful Strictly Ballroom still confounds me).

Two that we haven't mentioned so far that I liked, though, were the Twelfth Night with Helena Bonham Carter and Nigel Hawthorne (and Ben Kingsley's Feste, who was fantastic), and the fairly recent allstar version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is the first time I've ever seen the billing start with Bottom (Kevin Kline) [g]. It was quite watchable, and, along with the McKellen Richard III possesses the actor I think would make a lovely Ivan -- Dominic West.

And so I drag this back around to the Infamous Casting Thread. My only real gripe with trying to cast Bujold is that there's no place for Branagh -- or maybe now that he's getting older he could play Aral [g]. He's certainly got the body type and the attitude... And gods know he's played enough military heroes.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen that version of Merchant.

I loved it, though, mind you, I'm a big Jeremy Irons fan, and I really liked Lynn Collins as Portia.

Mel Gibson's Hamlet was not quite as awful as I expected, as my expectations were dire. It wasn't good, mind you. In retrospect I confuse it with Braveheart, which would probably make Shakespeare quite rightly weep in his grave if he knew. I liked the very last scene. (Of Hamlet, not Braveheart.)

I'd forgotten the Xeffirelli Romeo and Juliet. I certainly liked it - a lot -not sure if it's good Shakespeare, but I'm not sure why I'm not sure. Maybe because I haven't seen it in a very long time.

Ben Kinsley was wonderful as Feste. Yes, I'd like to see that movie again.

And yes, A Midsummer Night's Dream - that was quite wonderful, and Kevin Kline's Bottom really won my heart. I also liked Dominic West but wasn't thinking in terms of Ivan - must look again.

I can see Branagh as Aral. It wouldn't be playing to type or looks, but he'd be good - he could get the personality right on.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Netflix had Merchant so it's in my queue. I like Jeremy Irons, although I occasionally want to slug Pacino, so it will be interesting to see how I react to his Shylock.

Braveheart is the only movie I've ever walked out of from sheer steaming anger, without being able to figure out precisely what had pissed me off so. It was a strictly visceral reaction. But I had to sit in the car for about fifteen minutes to calm down before I felt safe enough to drive home. It was seriously bizarre.

And, yeah, the Zeffirelli R&J probably isn't good Shakespeare, but it's a good movie.

My only real problem with Branagh as Aral is that I don't see him as the romantic male lead (unlike practically everyone else). He's the romantic male lead's father. Since my crush on Branagh is long-standing (for about 16 years now), my brain is having a hard time reconciling him in the part. But I suspect I could get over it, given half the chance [g]. Branagh does look darned good in military uniform...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I like Jeremy Irons, although I occasionally want to slug Pacino, so it will be interesting to see how I react to his Shylock.

I like him as Shylock, though I had a few quibbles with the direction, which I mostly don't remember now.

Braveheart didn't anger me but it made me laugh, groan, and squirm. The oddest reaction to a movie I have had, that I recall, was to The Fisher King which made me cry for hours in sheer wretched misery. I'm not sure why to this day. It just - triggered a brief dark depression. (Hmm, is that a little Miles-like?)

I don't have a crush on Branagh I do love his acting and I sometimes have a crush on his characters. I'm still trying to think of my ideal Aral. The people I can think of who look the way I picture Aral couldn't do his personality, I think. So I'm still working on it. Branagh is good as an interim measure. And since for me, Aral is one of the Great Romantic Heroes of All Time, it's all good.

I don't see him as the romantic male lead (unlike practically everyone else)

You did read Shards, right? [g]

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

You did read Shards, right? [g]

Oh, yes. And I even read it before the Miles books (it was my second Bujold book after Falling Free -- I had been told to read them in strict series order), so I can't blame it on that.

And, yes, he was very romantic, esp. as Michael Hanson read him (that voice [sigh]), but since my favorite books in the series are the Memory, Komarr, ACC arc, and since Miles is the romantic hero in those, I'm afraid Aral loses out there.

Sorry [g].

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, you know how I feel about Aral. But I do completely agree with you about Michael Hanson's excellent reading there. Shards is a superb audiobook.

As I was saying...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Forgot to add:

And for none of those do I have to have the book in my lap in order to understand the dialog [g].

Good point. The dialogue is crystal clear and effortlessly communicates.

I agree that what he does with dialogue and its clarity is brilliant - both in concept and in enunciation, and in making it flow naturally.

Re: As I was saying...

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

I just wish whatever it is was contagious.

Re: As I was saying...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh, I wish. With the great stage technology that exists these days, they ought to be able to get it right. Just because it's being filmed doesn't mean they need to stop speaking intelligibly.

Re: As I was saying...

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

Precisely.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

After the show, we were shown Ian McKellen's comments on Lear.

Oh, bugger. I'd given up and turned off, but I would have liked to have seen those. Did he say "get a light Cordelia"?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Did he say "get a light Cordelia"?

Oddly, no, he didn't. He did mention how pretty Romola Garai was.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

"So grim, so many nasty people betraying their families," haha, this is why it gets quoted a bit in Eden. I've not seen a production, though, just read it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I've not seen a production, though, just read it.

If you ever get a chance to see it - well, be strong of heart!

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I use the 'thankless child' line a few times in Eden, lol.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's a wonderful line! That play has a lot of really good ones.

[xinef.livejournal.com]

I've seen King Lear several times (live), with Peter Ustinov, William Hutt and Christopher Plummer in the leading roles. I am not fond of King Lear but was interesting to see these well known actors take it on. By far the best of the lot was William Hutt.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I only saw Hutt as Lear in the third season of Slings and Arrows and by gum I wish I could have seen the rest of that production.

I enjoyed the Christopher Plummer version, but I don't remember it well now.

[idiotgrrl.livejournal.com]

King Lear would, indeed, go over very well on Barrayar. I'd like to see it set in Dark Ages England, when "the gods" meant something but Christianity was starting to make inroads. Not the Diana Paxson version of very early Celtic England, but, say, 7th Century? I mean, we have -

Petty kingdoms with an overking whose grip is shaky -
Lots of dynastic squabbles and infighting -
Partible inheritance -
The tradition of personal loyalty to one's lord at all costs -
Strong-minded women urging their husbands on and acting in their own right
The Gods, as I said before -

That said, once I got the setting of this production down pat, I could easily see it. Tolstoy's Russia, one of the minor fringe states.

Edmund was very well cast, and the sisters came across from Day One as the sort of female villains we've been seeing lately - powerful, power-hungry cougars in high places.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see it set in Dark Ages England, when "the gods" meant something but Christianity was starting to make inroads.

Yes! In this production, I found myself picturing the Roman gods whenever they invoked gods, and I wondered why I was getting that impression. I'd have played for something Celtic, myself. Or, as you say, Anglo-Saxon. Fits so well.

the sisters came across from Day One as the sort of female villains we've been seeing lately - powerful, power-hungry cougars in high places.

They were very... forceful. Very like women I've seen in most of the TV shows I've watched lately, including their colouring and intonation. I'd like to see a production that plays on a contrast between Goneril and Regan, rather than the similarities between them. Maybe then I'm manage to tell them apart!

Lear

[kitgordon.livejournal.com]

I actually got to see McKellen do Lear live when the RSC toured to the Guthrie last year; it was pretty amazing. I can't pick up television in our condo, but maybe I'll view the DVD at some point. I just dramaturged a workshop production of Lear here at the University with an all-female cast; that was a lot of fun, and the young women were amazing. I actually like the play quite a bit, but it is definitely not a pleasant one.

Re: Lear

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I actually got to see McKellen do Lear live when the RSC toured to the Guthrie last year; it was pretty amazing.

I am envious! How wonderful. I've seen McKellen live twice; once in "Acting Shakespeare" and once in "Richard III". He was wonderful each time. He has such presence and expression.

I would recommend the DVD. I am still amused by certain RSC quirks the production had, but McKellen himself gave a wonderful performance.

I'd like to see Lear with an all-female cast.

Watching it last night, I think I came to appreciate it (and some of its lines) more than I have in the past. But... depressing. In ways "Hamlet", for example, isn't.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

Lear and Henry V are my two favorite plays, actually. I regard them as thematic flipsides of the same coin. In college, I did an essay about Divine Right and kingship in both plays. God fought for Henry at Agincourt, because he stepped up and took responsibility as a leader. Lear's kingdom went to hell in a handcart, because he abdicated power before God saw fit to kill him, and yet still claimed that power. Thus, a vacuum was created, and chaos ensued.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

That's fascinating about Lear and Henry V. I never thought of them that way, but you're so right. Yesterday my friends and I were talking about how you could see that when Lear became unable to hold his kindgom together, it totally fell apart, because there was no rule of law (or it wasn't strong enough), no sense of unity. This production particularly gave the impression that Lear was a soldier not a statesman, not even a politician.

I see he wrote Henry V around 1598 and Lear about 1605 - so within the same decade but not close to each other. And between them, a number of plays that aren't about Kings. No doubt the ideas were simmering in his head.

Did Lear have political implications for his own time? I imagine in the beginning of James' reign, people wanted to think the throne was secure and not about to be a bone of contention.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

James was big on Divine Right. It's why his son, Charles I, got into trouble with Parliament leading to the Interregnum.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Given James' circumstances, he had to be big on divine right. I've always liked James: I think he handled his rather odd situation well. It set up problems for the next generation, but could have been so much worse.

[devohoneybee.livejournal.com]

I saw this production at UCLA Royce Hall in Los Angeles last year. My friend and I were also puzzled by the Russian costuming, but it made a slight bit of sense when we saw the other play they were touring -- a Chekhov.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I saw this production at UCLA Royce Hall in Los Angeles last year.

Oooh. Lucky, lucky you. I am mightily envious.

My friend and I were also puzzled by the Russian costuming, but it made a slight bit of sense when we saw the other play they were touring -- a Chekhov.

How - as Hamlet would say - frugal. One style of costuming which fits all needs! (Funny how I never associated Shakespeare with Chekhov before.)

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Yike! I just saw the review in the paper, yesterday. I am so jealous you have already seen it. And it was marvelous.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Ian McKellen was marvellous. The staging had a lot of RSC oddities that I think superfluous. Theoretically I would love the idea of Lear done in faux-Russian style but it just didn't quite work for me, not because of the concept, but because of the way it was done. I can't quite put my finger on exactly why it doesn't work for me when RSC does it.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Sigh. I will someday own this DVD. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. In the newspaper article on it, it said that McKellen and Patrick Stewart are currently touring England doing Waiting for Godot.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't it be fun to see the Stewart/McKellen "Waiting for Godot"? I'd love that. I'd also like the see the production of "The Doll's House" that Christopher Eccleston is currently in.