Coriolanus: 'Why did I let my mom talk me out of it?'

Perhaps more than any other single source except for the Bible, the voluminous works of William Shakespeare have been strip-mined for inspiration in movies.  From grand historical tragedies like Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Ran’ (based on ‘King Lear’) and ‘The Banquet’ aka ‘Legend of the Black Scorpion’ (based on ‘Hamlet’) to romantic comedies such as ’10 Things I Hate About You’ (based on ‘The Taming of the Shrew’) and the Joss Whedon-helmed modern adaptation of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ due out later this year, the world’s most renowned and beloved poet/playwright has been providing fodder for Hollywood since the dawn of the Silver Screen long after his demise.

‘Coriolanus’ is the least known of the four plays Shakespeare set during the Roman era, behind ‘Julius Caesar,’ ‘Anthony and Cleopatra,’ and ‘Titus Andronicus.’  'Coriolanus' is the tale of Caius Martius, a brilliant and brave yet stubborn general who alienated the plebeians (i.e. the 'common masses') during a food riot with his open contempt for their lack of military service.  His shortage of political common sense was to come back and haunt him later after a successful military campaign against the Volscians and their leader, Tullus Aufidius, when he needed their support for his bid for consulship, as two power-hungry Tribunes schemed to rile up the masses to oppose him and succeeded in banishing him outside the gates of Rome.  'Coriolanus' has all the elements of classic melodrama: political intrigue, power struggle, alternating triumph and tragedy, and mother issues. 

This movie is a modern retelling of 'Coriolanus,' set during the present day as opposed to ancient Roman times.  As such it can be a bit awkward listening to people in contemporary society speak in the Shakespearean dialect, but after a while you get used to it.  Ralph Fiennes, who also directed the film, is simply brilliant as Coriolanus, bringing a gravitas to a role we haven't seen from him since he portrayed the sadistic concentration camp commandant in 'Schindler's List.'  Watching his Caius Marius Coriolanus and Gerard Butler's rebellious Volscian general Tullus Aufidius brawl and scowl menacingly at one another is alone worth the price of admission for me, which was $8 bucks at a matinee.  Veteran actress Vanessa Redgrave, as his mother Volumnia, and the lovely Jessica Chastain, who played his wife Virgilia, also turned in solid performances and recited their Shakespeare lines well.  All in all, 'Coriolanus' is a fine addition to Shakespearean cinema.

7 out of 10