Coriolanus
The Weinstein Company | Release Date: December 2, 2011
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 72 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
48
Mixed:
16
Negative:
8
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User Reviews

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9
GeneMar 24, 2012
I hadn't watched or read any Shakespeare material since high school, and walked out the theater awestruck. I think I only got about 80% of the dialogue, but this was definitely the "watching the first shakespeare play" experience that criticsI hadn't watched or read any Shakespeare material since high school, and walked out the theater awestruck. I think I only got about 80% of the dialogue, but this was definitely the "watching the first shakespeare play" experience that critics talk about that I never understood. The set pieces and the action and combat scenes are expertly done, the visuals alone could carry this movie. Unfortunately the modernization didn't work 100% of the time. The scenes with unwashed mobs inside council chambers and new conferences kind of creaked. Movie would have been far better served repurposing their dialogue into "man on the street" news footage or town hall meetings. Roman style forums just don't translate into modern day life that well.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
asthobaskoroAug 28, 2012
I've never watched movie like this before, I couldn't even describe it but I really like it. Ralph Fiennes proves us that Shakespeare can still exist in modern time.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
InductivistJun 20, 2012
I can give this film a tepid thumbs up for two reasons: 1) great acting by Fiennes and Redgrave, and 2) Shakespeare is always worth the effort. The exchanges between the two actors are mesmerizing, and the Bard's words are music to the ears.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
SvoidJan 2, 2013
A great film. I enjoyed most aspects, notably the adaptation to the modern setting and particularly the characters. It is true that Caius Martius Coriolanus (R. Fiennes) remains something of a mystery and his motivations and ultimateA great film. I enjoyed most aspects, notably the adaptation to the modern setting and particularly the characters. It is true that Caius Martius Coriolanus (R. Fiennes) remains something of a mystery and his motivations and ultimate intentions are not clear, but the relationship between him and Tullus Aufidius (G. Butler) is excellent. Fiennes and Butler portray their respective characters well, getting into the gritty rivalry and respect between these two men of war. The plot explores the vagaries of the mob excellently and the tension between one's role as an enforcer of the will of the electorate and the will of the people. Martius is an excellent portrayal of a barbaric general: violent and unrelenting; and the film captures the feeling of warring tribes and ethnic groups (as Rome was then, as Eastern Europe was in the nineties and as parts of Africa are today). The dirty, drab and dull nature of this Europe of conflicting city states is real, if not particularly beautiful to look at - dirty streets, spray painted walls, litter and trash - the abandoned detritus of a war zone. The film doesn't focus excessively on the battles themselves, using them mainly to develop the characters of Martius and Aufidius; and uses mass media shots to carry background action forward. I felt the film managed to step across time and portray the essence of tribalism, ethnic conflict and charismatic warlords particularly well. Do we like Martius? Do we feel some connection to his humanity? The same could be said of any warlord and general. They do what must be done and people's fear of their power leads to an ambivalent national relationship with them. One thinks of the relationship between the British and American masses with their own soldiers and police, which is equally confused and undecided. At times the olde English can be a bit tiring and confusing, particularly if you don't know the play well but overall a great film.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
RobertBroganSep 28, 2015
Coriolanus is unexpectedly well-played. It goes for a more natural style where the action is blended with the environment and the dialogue is acted out rather than recited. This does not come off always but it does work a surprising amount ofCoriolanus is unexpectedly well-played. It goes for a more natural style where the action is blended with the environment and the dialogue is acted out rather than recited. This does not come off always but it does work a surprising amount of the time. While it is not a masterpiece, Coriolanus is still a pretty damn good film and recommended to fans of Shakespeare.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
amheretojudgeJun 27, 2019
There is no way Fiennes is letting you experience any other actor's terror, not with those dead eyes.

Coriolanus Fiennes has an understanding of a mature person. Or maybe, he just nods like a four year old kid. That can only be pinned downThere is no way Fiennes is letting you experience any other actor's terror, not with those dead eyes.

Coriolanus

Fiennes has an understanding of a mature person. Or maybe, he just nods like a four year old kid. That can only be pinned down after, the director Ralph Fiennes runs a few more mile ahead in this chair. For as far as this sprint is concerned, it is backed by an incredibly gritty script. Also, never have I ever seen a director, that is so screenplay driven as Fiennes. He adopts the shape of the vessel, electively- it's a whole democracy and the voice of the people kind of state. Now, he may never cast his signature impact, if he wishes to or if he could. But he is incredibly humble to the content and context that the material demands.

He has a potential to mature himself as a director, since he has kept himself open enough to be accepted and criticized honestly. And that's another reason why his films come off more like old style filmmaking. Along with the fact that he doesn't seek to glorify the screen with thrills nor creates moments for each individual. He isn't invested on leaving the screen with style. His storytelling makes up for the dramatic or cinematic moment itself, that later on in the film marks as some vital historical scene to be reminisced or be proud upon.

In fact, there comes a certain antic- of course, there comes a scene where the entire story hinges upon, it's Shakespeare. And I have never been so afraid in a horror film as I was in that press conference. You know something is about to go down, and as much as you want it to, you also don't want it to. This is simply a testament to excellent performance and filmmaking. And so what if Fiennes end up asking for some patience from you, he is entitled to, he, Coriolanus.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
MIKALEMar 17, 2012
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. To be honest I struggled with the dialogue and it really killed my experience of this one. Wished they had gone all the way with turning this in to a contemporary take on the original material with the script too so the more average minded peeps like myself could get a better understanding of the drama unfolding.

There were some interesting things going on, I really wanted to get some insight into the whole drama of a man turning on his own country and family and it seemed like the film might have drawn some interesting parallels to modern events but unfortunately I couldn't figure out much of it.

Performances seemed strong and great visuals too.

Definitely one best left to the Shakespeare types to figure out though.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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2
vankwishaMay 15, 2012
I must admit I really didn't enjoy this movie at all. I struggled to watch it for 45 minutes then just gave up and felt frustrated. It does have some good well known actors though if you can look past the short comings of the movie.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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0
jhepFeb 8, 2012
What a pointless film !!â
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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4
nascentMay 14, 2012
Fiennes' acting is great, but the direction is fairly eccentric, with MTV-style editing and extreme closeups ala Tony Scott style.

The overall movie is pretty gimmicky, it's just Shakespeare with explosions and a modern day set design. TheFiennes' acting is great, but the direction is fairly eccentric, with MTV-style editing and extreme closeups ala Tony Scott style.

The overall movie is pretty gimmicky, it's just Shakespeare with explosions and a modern day set design. The dialog isn't altered to fit the new style, nor is it particularly interesting to follow in it's theatrical overbearing dialog scenes, where rarely more than 2 of the dozens of con-screen actors ever talk at a time.

The film would've been far better as a more true adaptation keeping things in their time period. Trying to randomly bring everything to a modern and American setting makes no sense, and keeping the dialog in it's untouched original form means the film is only going to be enjoyable by self-proclaimed Shakespeare fans.

This won't be the film that makes Shakespeare interesting or identifiable to you.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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3
SpangleMar 26, 2014
Oh the missed opportunity. It cuts me deep. Great visuals and direction from Ralph Fiennes in his directorial debut. The modern day adaptation of Shakepeare's play was a very creative way to change it up. The difference in setting when we seeOh the missed opportunity. It cuts me deep. Great visuals and direction from Ralph Fiennes in his directorial debut. The modern day adaptation of Shakepeare's play was a very creative way to change it up. The difference in setting when we see Apple Computers in one shot and then we see this very 1500s/1600s set pieces outside was a very interesting choice that I enjoyed. The action sequences were intense and the thrills were certainly there. In spite of knowing that this is a tragedy, you still get attached to the characters even though you know there is no other way for this one to wind up. Impressive on those fronts for sure.

Now, the negatives. There are, admittedly, not many, but they are major enough to knock this down all the way to such a low rating for me. The major negative here is the dialogue. You can kind of piece together what is going on, for sure, but the Shakespearean language made this one a pain to watch. Very intense scenes could have been all the more intense if I understood what they were saying. The fact that they were intense at all speaks to Fiennes' talent in the director's chair, but his failure to realize that Shakespearean language is very hard to understand and does not really translate well to film is a major redmark on this debut. In addition, aside from Fiennes, the acting was incredibly spotty. In too many scenes, it felt forced and as if I was watching a bad play. I am sure the language used played a role in this feeling, but the acting was anything but up to snuff. With such a capable cast of actors, I expected much more, but was instead left disappointed as I never really "bought" a lot of it, as it was painfully obvious they were acting.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
worleyjamersJan 27, 2013
Coriolanus is not for everyone, in fact many people will likely hate it. I can't say I particularly loved the film, but it features many admirable qualities nonetheless. The cinematography is really good. Although it borrows heavily from it'sCoriolanus is not for everyone, in fact many people will likely hate it. I can't say I particularly loved the film, but it features many admirable qualities nonetheless. The cinematography is really good. Although it borrows heavily from it's Shakespearean roots, making it hard to understand, the script and solid and the actors deliver it wonderfully. The performances are all top-notch, Vanessa Redgrave in particular is stunning; she steals every scene she's in. If you're a fan of Shakespeare you absolutely must see this, and if you're not, it is still a good film even though it wasn't my cup of tea.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Dimitris01Nov 20, 2013
Did the people who made this film know the differences between cinema and theater? I think not. That's why the characters speak as if they are on stage and the city of modern Rome has a population of one hundred people and an army of thirty.Did the people who made this film know the differences between cinema and theater? I think not. That's why the characters speak as if they are on stage and the city of modern Rome has a population of one hundred people and an army of thirty. Moreover, why didn't they place the story in antiquity? Their 'modern Rome' is just an average city of today with dysfunctional institutions. Fiennes' powerful performance and Shakespeare's finely crafted story depicting the destructive consequences of human pride and jealousy and the ingratitude of the people are wasted here.
argonautis.eu… Expand
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10
CaptTeabag81192Jun 22, 2021
first off i truely enjoyed this movie. it was refreshing how they stuck with the original diolog instead of changing it to todays verison of english in my opion its a very interesting movie based on a play done way back in the 1600's
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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