Review: Looking for Richard (1996) · 12:09am Jul 1st, 2015
Reviewing a documentary is always a little different from reviewing a normal film, as a normal film has elements such as screenwriting and acting, where's, more often then not, a documentary is raw images combined with facts and narration.
As such, Al Pacino's directorial effort, Looking for Richard, is a unique film, as it blurrs the line between documentary and fiction, intercuting Pacino's own ruminations and commentary on the subtexual and philosphical elements of William Shakespeare's play Richard III, with scenes from the play acted out by himself and a cadre of friends (including Alec Baldwin, Winona Rider and Kevin Spacey), all of whom are obviously having a load of fun and really being invested in the productions.
One of the most fascinating elements is the near step-by-step, scene by scene analysis of the psychology of the play, which is incredibly insightful and rich, while also combining it with equally interesting and insightful interviews with the likes of Kenneth Branagh, Vanessa Redgrave, John Gieulgud, and various Shakespeare scholars, all of whom give their own imput on how Shakespeare is vaulable and why he was such a master of his craft.
The DVD that I saw is also bookended by a prologue and epilogue where Pacino expresses his desire and his thinking behind the project, and it's so wonderfully obvious that Pacino loves Shakespeare with a passion, and that really helps the film feel unique.
It's really worth seeking out, and I recommend it to both film fans and Shakespeare fans.
5 out of 5.
Huh. Sounds cool.