Anonymous (2011)

the audience applauded

From my favorite movies..

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Never, EVER had I watched a film, and just as the credits begin to roll, immediately restarted the film to watch, again. This film "Anonymous" is the first I'd ever done such a thing,...well I did somewhat the same with "Great Expectations (the original), "Wuthering Heights," (the original), and okay...Scorsese's "Age of Innocence."I truly enjoy watching this film "Anonymous," and will add this film to my DVD collection. The actors...well...come on...STELLAR!A film that you would have to watch without any breaks, oh yeah, or you can pause it if you gotta, go; if you know what I mean. What I found out at the end of this film, did blow my mind, as did one actor, playing 'said' role, when he discovered a *truth.*If you love and enjoy watching films and tele series about the Tudors, Elizabethan period, the works of *Shakespeare*, and historical/period works of cinema, then this is your film to watch. It will make ya go, Hmmmmm...what if.Thanks for reading.

'Anonymous' is a modern play on Broadway where a different version of Shakespeare's real life is presented. After a prologue, it flashbacks to Robert Cecil, the Earl of Salisbury with his men chasing after Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto) with a collection of manuscripts. He hides them under the Rose and his pursuers burn down the theater. Then it flashes 5 years earlier, Shakespeare (Rafe Spall) is a drunken actor. It flashes 40 year earlier still, Edward De Vere, the Earl of Oxford (Jamie Campbell Bower/Rhys Ifans) is the real author of Shakespeare's works. It is a film about political intrigue in the English court during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (Joely Richardson/Vanessa Redgrave).There are a lot of questionable and complicated history. I almost feel a real need to be more familiar with the British history both royal and literary. There is something wrong with this version of history but I'm not a good enough scholar to pinpoint it. The start of the movie jumps around in time and it's easy to get lost. This is definitely an unique interpretation of history from writer John Orloff. Roland Emmerich's direction really needs to simplify the movie although the complicated story adds to the atmosphere. In some way, all the name dropping is addictive and fascinating. The acting is top notch. Emmerich films it with so much murky realism. It's a very tough call. There is enough great performances and the story is so audacious that I must recommend this.

OK, perhaps there's a few glaring errors in the historical accounts here, which I won't go into. Personally I find that to be OK. If this entire film is a fabrication then I also don't mind.I certainly found this movie to be enjoyable, the story was well written, the visuals seemed authentic, albeit somewhat theatrical, the acting was also good, I found Rafe Spall as Shakespeare to be quite a fun character, he truly is good at playing the fool. Also, Mr Ifans was very watchable as usual.What I took from this movie, aside from the enjoyment of it all, was the question 'what if?' and that is probably the best thing for me. It's prompted me to look into possibilities, to start discussions with friends. Perhaps I'll garner nothing from these questions, but it was interesting none the less.

My taught on Anonymous The movie name 'Anonymous' quite inspired me about the unknown truth behind Shakespeare. I personally found it interesting. Also the soundtracks were quite good to give you a great feeling about how is was back then. In this movie you can also find some great actors, a few funny moments, quotes about Shakespeare what I really liked a lot and great historical references. Still, I think this movie could be better. When I was in the middle of the movie I had trouble following the time indication whenever it was a flashback or present. There are a lot of actors during the movie and It was difficult to distinguish them. Also I had a hard time understanding all the relationships with each other. I personally think you have to watch this movie twice if you truly want to understand all of it. Written by a 18 year old Dutch student, trying to improve his English writing skills.