Kiss Me, Petruchio (1981)

The Age of Commercialism

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

I saw this movie years ago on Public Television and as an actor I particularly enjoyed the way the camera tracked the actors on and off stage, and showed the intensity and ecstasy of a full-on, perfectly matched pair of performers. Streep was brilliant in expressing the complexity of passionate attraction while struggling with maintaining one's autonomy. The surrender that ensues is anything BUT submission. Rather, it is the true release that occurs when a powerful, intelligent and strong-willed woman has met her match on all levels. She no longer NEEDS to portray herself as a "shrew," and act out her frustration and sense of isolation, since there is finally a complimentary energy to meet her own. The interplay between the actors and the parts they are playing on stage is exquisitely captured in the movie. Streep's exotic and passionate partner, Raul Julio (sp?) takes commanding charge of this phenomenal woman, and actress. He demonstrates to her that it is safe to transcend her her fears and allow herself her vulnerability. This allows her to enjoy her fullness as a woman, without losing her sense of herself. A rare and granted, politically incorrect thing to witness, or experience, let alone understand. But this pair of actors, Streep and Julio, that Papp cast understood this complex dynamic perfectly. The vitality, immediacy and authenticity of this stunning performance left an impact that was exciting enough to remember years later. Now, as I prepare to teach an inner high school Grade Nine class about the battle of the sexes, I wish I knew how to get a copy of this amazing performance by one of the world's leading directors and actors, captured live and in NEW YORK! What a treasure! Does anyone know how I can get a copy?

I came across a VHS of this doc in a university library when I first began acting. This little known gem proves how powerful these two actors were/are, most especially with Shakespeare's language. It basically follows Raul Julia and Meryl Streep in interviews backstage during their performance of "Taming of the Shrew" in Central Park as well as their scenes together on stage. In Tibetan , the word "dorje" means thunderbolt, as in the thunderbolt that strikes a person when they gain a certain enlightenment; I was struck with that when I saw this film. The ease and perfection at which they took this "foreign" language and made it so vividly real, understandable and entertaining cannot be described. Ms. Streeps first entrance as Kate is GENIUS. All of Kate and Petruchio's scenes burn with charisma, passion and chemistry. The final scene with couple, always a problem of equal rights on paper (and many a time on stage), is played out smart and subtle. All students of Shakespeare and believers in the power of theatre must seek this out.

For anyone who wondered where the amazing Meryl Streep came from, this remarkable documentry will set you straight. This uneven production of "Taming of the Shrew" which was staged in Central Park, New York by The NY Shakespeare Festival, seems secondary to the materful performances at its heart. Watching the young Meryl Streep in 6" high heels to go face to face with the robust Raul Julia is an amazing site and a set of lovers this play usually lacks. The physical side of the two actors work in amazing, violent, hot, exciting and slightly unsettling all at the same time. This Kate has finally met her match and watching the sparks fly verbally and physically between Streep and Julia is one of the finest performances we as Americans have been privileged to see. What a wonderful record. What an amazing pair of actors.