Movies

In order to enjoy this pseudo-historical thriller, one has to suspend natural desire for logic and order. For a start this is not history. The mystery of Shakespeare, the greatest writer in English language, will probably stay mystery. So, this simplistic movie,doesn't give any answers, nor pose any valid questions, it just tries to dazzle with bright colors. And it makes it's questionable claim with the heaviest of feet. The character of Shakespeare is made to be a step up from village idiot, dumb and illiterate. Little more subtlety wouldn't hurt. But this is Hollywood, a land where moneymakers rule over talent. So, simpler the better, says the one that holds the purse strings. It is hard to do art without money, but when money rules,art becomes obsolete.

Way way way too long and confusing with all the flash-backs and flash-forwards; I was too busy reminding myself who's who to actually catch any of the story. The story is also another of its many problems; it made no sense at all and didn't engage. Any time it tried to be serious and tried to convince us of a somewhat credible theory the pace of the film just slowed right down. This is completely unsuitable material for a second-rate director like Emmerich who's more suited to dumb, high-concept action flicks and crowd-pleasers. I think Emmerich had bitten off more than he can chew with this one. In the hands of a more capable director this could've been more convincing and may actually make some sense.