The film is heavily abridged. It's a real tragedy. If they had filmed the whole play this might have been the best Lear ever televised. Nevertheless there's much to like in this telling of Lear.
Casting the Fool as an old man was a stroke of minor genius - his rapport with Lear is the best I've ever seen it on film OR stage; The modern setting (not often my preference) works well here and lends the whole a seriousness for modern viewers that too many ruffled shirts might've threatened; The photography and cinematography are honestly world-class; The cast has no weak links and many excellent performances. Andrew Scott as Edgar, Karl Johnson as the Fool, and Jim Carter as Kent were the stand-outs for me.
As for Anthony Hopkins's Lear I have only good things to say. His Lear stands with the very best, I honestly believe. He's all the madness and all the pity, and he plays it so easily that it somehow never once sounds theatrical, pompous or silly - quite a feat for any Shakespearean role in the 21st century, but dubly so for Lear.
With Shakespeare there's no substitute for a live performance, but this film is a real accomplishment regardless. Bravo all. Highly recommended!
Casting the Fool as an old man was a stroke of minor genius - his rapport with Lear is the best I've ever seen it on film OR stage; The modern setting (not often my preference) works well here and lends the whole a seriousness for modern viewers that too many ruffled shirts might've threatened; The photography and cinematography are honestly world-class; The cast has no weak links and many excellent performances. Andrew Scott as Edgar, Karl Johnson as the Fool, and Jim Carter as Kent were the stand-outs for me.
As for Anthony Hopkins's Lear I have only good things to say. His Lear stands with the very best, I honestly believe. He's all the madness and all the pity, and he plays it so easily that it somehow never once sounds theatrical, pompous or silly - quite a feat for any Shakespearean role in the 21st century, but dubly so for Lear.
With Shakespeare there's no substitute for a live performance, but this film is a real accomplishment regardless. Bravo all. Highly recommended!