Coriolanus

The Weinstein Company | Release Date: December 2, 2011

6.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 72 Ratings

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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