Edward II
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Movie Reviews of Edward II
Movie Review: Truly amazing and unusual
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow!, this is an amazing viewing experience, and definitely the best Derek Jarman film that I've seen. The script is based on Christopher Marlowe's equally bizarre 16th century playscript, the story of King Edward II and his love for his favorite Gaveston. Edward neglects all his princely duties of governing England so he can hang out with Gaveston and party. He also rejects the love of his wife, Queen Isabella from France. The leading nobles then conspire with Isabella to get rid of Gaveston, and eventually to depose Edward and murder him in a particularly gruesome manner.
Jarman retains the original Elizabethan language (don't worry, it's very accessible) but modernizes the setting to some extent, keeping the medieval castle, but updating the costumes and some props. Medieval and modern elements are mixed together in post-modern fashion. This is a very stylized and even symbolic production, although the story is more or less dramatically realistic. The original dialogue has been edited and shortened, in order to highlight the settings and gestures. The play is a visual and musical feast for the senses. Jarman's treatment of the play reminds me of Julie Taymor's TITUS (based on Shakespeare's Titus Andonicus) starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange.
But be forewarned, this is not for the squeamish; there is lots of male nudity and even homosexual love making, although enough is hidden to keep the "R" rating. There is also a fair amount of violence.
The play's treatment of homosexuality is very interesting and complex. In Marlowe's original playscript, the homosexual nature of the relationship between Edward and Gaveston is fairly obvious yet not completely explicit----still rather veiled according to the customs of the time; Jarman, in contrast, foregrounds the homosexuality; at the same time he doesn't idealize Edward and Gaveston to make them innocent victims. In line with the original script, Edward is portrayed as criminally negligent in his duties as King. But the nobles who depose him are also corrupted by the desire for power, so there are no clear heroes or villains here. The play, however, questions the irrational prejudice of the nobles against homosexuality.
Well worth the time and money. This play will be especially interesting for fans of Shakespeare and English Renaissance drama. Jarman truly makes Edward II accessible, interesting, and relevant for a contemporary audience.
Movie Review: Jarman's most accessible film, but not mainstream by any means...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very well made, interesting, and unique interpretation of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II. It is by Derek Jarman, one of the most neglected British filmmakers in history. This is best known film in the US, and while he's made better films, this one is still excellent. The first time you see the film it can be rather off putting. First of all, the characters wear contemporary clothes (even though it took place in the 14th century), and they smoke cigarettes. The film is very stylized, there are some rather heavygoing sex scenes at the beginning of the film, and there are appearances by OutRage, a British gay rights group that Jarman was a member of. Aside from the anarchorisms and the sex, it still feels like a Shakespeare play in many ways. It is interesting to note that in Mel Gibson's film Braveheart, the son of Edward Longshanks was, in fact, Edward II. In Mel's film, he was portrayed in a stereotypical, effeminate way. In Jarman's film, Edward is much more dynamic and intelligent. Jarman's portrayal, while a little idealised, is still more realistic than Gibson's film. Granted, Gibson wasn't making a film about Edward II, but it still would have been good of him to get the portrayal right. The other performances are top notch (especially Tilda Swinton as the jilted queen, and Nigel Terry as Mortimer). Annie Lennox singing "Every Time We Say Goodbye" is reminiscent of Jarman's film of The Tempest, when Elisabeth Welch sings Stormy Weather at the end. Everything in this film works. It sounds like it could go out of control and turn into a camp fest, but it never does. Well worth seeing...
Movie Review: King of Hearts
Summary: 5 Stars
"Edward II" is a stunning adaptation by the late Derek Jarman of Christopher Marlowe's Renaissance-era play. Jarman's production is spare, yet powerful. It wafts, dreamlike, between the captive Edward and flashbacks of his former days. Steven Waddington is excellent as Edward II-torn between kingly duty and his lower-class lover,Piers Gaveston. Tilda Swinton is icy as Queen Isabella, foreshadowing her role as the White Witch.
"Edward II" places the medieval story in '80s Thatcher-era England, when homosexuals were singled out as scapegoats. In the movie, the militaristic Mortimer is romping with two girlfriends-- who then make out with each other. Isabella is promiscuous with other men- from taking Mortimer as her lover to flirting with her husband's executioner. Towards the end, Edward leads a Gay Pride protest. In an odd way, the movie is strikingly timely, with the passage of Prop.8 in California and the battle over Measure 1 in Maine.
"Edward II" is a superbly made tragedy. Between an excellent cast, to great music (Annie Lennox appears to sing "Every time we say goodbye") It goes between the spartan (Edward's prison) and the sensual (there's a male group nude wrestling scene,for some reason) "Edward II" is a cinematic classic. It's an essential of experimental movies.
Movie Review: DEREK JARMAN'S "TAKE" ON MARLOWE
Summary: 5 Stars
This gorgeousy filmed (Ian Wilson) and costumed (Sandy Powell) adaptation of Marlowe's masterpiece is a curiosity. There are the anachronisms of sumptuous modern costumes for the leads - especially Tilda Swinton (runway-model manque) - and lavish yet pared-down sets that make you concentrate on the glorious words of Christopher Marlowe.
It is gory and violent, stunning and outrageous, sexually explicit, and very political and pro-gay activism.
Steven Waddington and Andrew Tiernan make convincing lovers and Tilda Swinton is outstanding as the spurned wife and ultimate murderer of her husband.
It must be remembered that Derek Jarman started out as the set designer for Ken Russell's "The Devils" and this is demonstrated by the stylistic and stylised sets. Annie Lennox makes a brief but poignant appearance and all the supporting actors and actresses are entirely convincing.
Not for every taste but worth a watch if you appreciate one of the cinema's most original and creative directors.
Movie Review: Jarman
Summary: 5 Stars
Not for everyone, but a great film by a great film director and stylist. Edward 2 is the play by Christpher Marlowe (1564-1593), author of The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, and the presumed Shakespearean writer. This film presents a Jacobean style rendering of this play with very modern sets and costumes and truly a hightened gay sensibility. Tilda Swinton sings Cole Porter in transluscent style a year before she performed in "Orlando". I would recommend it highly.