Othello

Title: Othello (1995)
Rating: 2.5/5
Genre: Drama
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Irène Jacob, Kenneth Branagh
Director: Oliver Parker

And another round with films adapted of plays by "The Bard", this time, again with one of his greatest works, "Othello". It's quite simple why I chose this version, "Branagh's" role as the green-eyed monster "Iago", especially that this is the only time he is directed by another in an adaptation. While the acting was the best part of the film, "Parker" robbed the play of its essence and changed it to a completely different matter. While the film's plot doesn't need much explanations, "Iago's" seemingly un-justified despise to "Othello" and his quest to literally destroy the Moor's life, "Parker" presented us with a confusing adaptation of which we aren't really sure of its theme. I understand cutting some parts of plays in their adaptations, but adding completely new and utterly unrelated parts are completely un-forgivable for me.

While I understand monologues aren't easy to figure out, but letting "Branagh" talk to the camera the way he was directed made me smile. Why? Because I felt I was watching a silly documentary. It was totally un-called for and un-needed. Another thing, why on earth would a soft-core sex scene between "Othello" and "Desdemona" that wasn't in the play be added? It showed the film to be centered about "inter-racial" relationships rather than its well-known themes of envy, betrayal, racism, love… Also, it's "Shakespeare", the Bard is a master of words, but what would "Oliver" do? He plays the films music instead of letting us hear the words. We only see "Iago" whispering into "Othello's" ears, we hear nothing. Now that just can't be right. Here we have one of the greatest "Shakespearian" in the role of whom I believe to be the "Bard's" vilest villains, and we don't get the opportunity to hear him speak the words. How crude…

While "Shakespeare" can either crush an actor, or can exalt him. "Branagh" was so natural in his role, that all the others seemed amateurs when compared to him. He was so convincing that the moment he makes the pact with "Othello" and sheds his tears; I had a desire to snatch his eyes out! The way he moves, talks, looks, screams wickedness. "Fishburne" was a good "Othello". We believed him as the man whom his life little by little fell to pieces and crumbled in ruins. While "Jacob" was a good "Desdemona", her death scene was really credible and sad; I felt the role was a bit heavy on her. She was passionate and she did sadden me, I give her that, but her delivery of the lines is what sometimes bothered me. Sometimes we notice her accent showing. While she wasn't bad as "Desdemona", I believe "Parker" should have paid more attention to tiny details such as these.

Read the play first, then if you are interested in watching some "good acting", you might want to watch this film. The film was clearly over "Parker", and I cannot help but wonder what results would have been if "Branagh" had also took in charge of directing. It was alright half of the time, but during others, it felt unforgivable for me. I just don't know what he was thinking. Heck, at sometimes, it seems as if "Iago's" efforts were focused to destroy "Roderigo's" life rather than "Othello's". The film clearly had potential, yet it came down eventually. As much as the actors tried well, it came out lacking in the end. Still there are other matters that did bother me, but let's leave them for now…