Movie Review: The Tempest
The Tempest (M)
119 minutes
Reviewed by Nathalia LindvallIt is not many movies you leave with the feeling of that you have just been to the theatre, but after seeing The Tempest that is exactly the feeling I have.
Not too strange maybe considered that it is based on a Shakespearean play.
The director and writer, Julie Taymore, has made a movie about love and forgiveness, but in her version of this classical play Prospero is turned into a female Prospera (played by Helen Mirren).
The former duchess of Milan is sent in exile with her four year old daughter to an island far away by her power hungry brother and there Prospera is devoting herself to magic and she has powers are beyond imagination as she can control the minds of humans, spirits and monsters, as well as the weather.
The story really sets off when she creates a storm in order to shipwreck her sworn enemy the King of Milan and make him, along with his advisers (who plot to kill him) and handsome son (Reeve Carney) come to the island. There love arises between him and Prospera’s daughter Miranda (Felicity Jones) and even though both actors feel as if they have some difficulties with making the old Shakespeare dialogue credible it is a nice part of the movie seeing them gaze into each other's eyes.
The story is grasping and the actors good but the special effects are the one thing that leaves you a little bit breathless. They are both experimental and very well done, and the team behind the movie has managed with making them feel quite real and as a natural part of the overall mode in the movie.
Travelling with the spirit Ariel (Ben Whishaw), the humble servant (or reluctant prisoner maybe…) of Prospera, over the island on his different tasks is a real experience in beautiful scenery, and special effects that feels either as something you could experience in a nightmare or in an old, imaginary, love story. It might be so though that it is more for them, and the incredibly colourful costumes, then for the actual dialogue that this movie is worth watching.
What the characters are talking about is probably interesting, and the old sounding language makes it special but it still disappears a bit behind the rock inspired music, the volcanic landscape and the amazingly creative special effects. Helen Mirren is good as always but her powerful persona, and strong voice, also diminishes behind the overall pretty cluttered backdrop of the movie. I found myself constantly not listening to the dialogue (even when the funny Russel Brand as Trinculo the fool appears).
I really enjoyed this movie, and I would advise everyone who loves to watch a film full of beautiful scenery and visuals as well as strong music to see it.
Because as I said, I really do feel as if you have experienced something more than just an ordinary night at the cinema, if that is a good thing or not, that is up to you to decide.
The Tempest is screening at Cinema Paradiso, Northbridge WA from 21st April. Visit www.lunapalace.com.au for details. 
