Anonymous
It’s not often a film inspires you to head straight for the library. But Anonymous did.
From the cast to the set to the story’s unique framing device (Derek Jacobi delivering the prologue at a modern-day Broadway production of the same), director Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, 2012) presents a beautiful “what if” that’s bound to ruffle a few feathers.
The story revolves around the conspiracy theory that William Shakespeare was not, in fact, responsible for literature’s greatest classics. Rather, the genius mind behind King Lear, Macbeth and all other works attributed to him actually belonged to Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford. For political reasons and to protect his social status, De Vere is forced to seek out an accomplice, someone who will bring his treasured plays to the stage. In a cruel twist, the unintended beneficiary of this becomes the all-but-illiterate Will Shakespeare – a complete buffoon, but someone who does know enough to spot an opportune moment when it smacks him in the face.
Rhys Ifans’ portrayal of De Vere is mesmerizing. It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that this is the same guy who played Spike in Notting Hill. Vanessa Redgrave is her classic self as Queen Elizabeth I, and David Thewlis nails the part of manipulative advisor to the Queen, William Cecil.
Questioning both the legitimacy and intellect of someone hailed as one of the world’s greatest writers of all time is gutsy enough. But Emmerich doesn’t stop there. Other controversial theories surface throughout the film right up until its riveting conclusion, making you wish you knew your 16th century British history better.
In Theatres: October 28, 2011
Rating: 4.5/5
Twixt
Going into this with knowledge of director Francis Ford Coppola’s three self-assigned rules for filmmaking will contribute immensely to your understanding of it. As per Coppola’s Director’s Statement: “At this point in my life, I think of any film I undertake as having three requirements: it must be an original story, must have some personal element, and must be self-financed.”
Of the three, the “personal element” criteria is the most relevant. Twixt is based on a vivid dream Coppola had on a recent visit to Istanbul; the call to prayer shook him from his slumber, but realizing the dream’s potential, he dictated details into a recorder before he could have a chance to forget them.
Just like a dream, Twixt is bizarre. Featuring a brief narration by Tom Waits, the film stars Val Kilmer as author Hall Baltimore, who finds himself in an odd little town as part of a promotional book tour. Intrigued by the mysteries of the town and hard up for cash (as made clear by skype conversations with Mrs. Hall Baltimore, interestingly enough played by Kilmer’s ex-wife Joanne Whalley), he agrees to stay and collaborate on a new literary project with town sheriff Bobby LaGrange (played by Bruce Dern). Visited nightly by Edgar Allen Poe (Ben Chaplin) and a mysterious young girl named V (Elle Fanning), Baltimore gets more than he bargained for.
Frankly, it’s a bit of a mess, even for a film based on a dream. It has vampires and creepy pastors and the aforementioned Poe. It even has two 3D scenes (if in doubt, a not-so-subtle cue comes in the form of a giant image of 3D glasses that sails across the screen). It has elements of horror and dark comedy and mystery. Unfortunately, it’s all just a little too much.
Release Date: TBC
Rating: 3/5
For more reviews of this year's festival, check out Parts One and Three of this series.
For more on the Toronto International Film Festival, see the TIFF website.
Ramona Zacharias - Ramona has been a freelance writer for ten years, focusing on arts, entertainment and pop culture, with a more recent dabbling in travel. ...
