I don't know if anyone else noticed it, but for me it was the music which really turned this adaptation into something special. Well done to Hal Lindes whoever he is for composing the original music, but also to the person who edited it to maximum effect. It made the film so much fun. Of course, the two main actors, Shirley Henderson and Rufus Sewell were excellent too, even though it was difficult to believe that a future PM could behave as badly as she did, or that she could get married and go on honeymoon without the paparazzi swarming all over the place! How nice to see a new single play on TV with no gruesome murders or police in the cast. Bring back Play for Today!
15 Reviews
It's crazy but it works
kcla23 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
In this retelling of Shakespeare's play, Katherine (Shirley Henderson) is an abrasive and loathsome Parliament member in line to become the PM. But she won't get there unless she softens her public image. Friends and family gently suggest marriage, which she scoffs at. Then she gets stuck in an elevator with Petruchio (Rufus Sewell), a bankrupt and feckless earl who just happens to be in need of a rich wife. To everyone's surprise they actually fall in love.
The real gem of this adaptation is in the full-on, guns blazing performances of the lead actors. Shirley Henderson and Rufus Sewell are actually playing up types they've played before. Henderson is known for playing quirky, outsider leading lady types, while Sewell has been somewhat typecast in noblemen roles. Here they have taken those familiar caricatures and raised the lunacy level up about ten notches. What's surprising is just how well it works.
Henderson is great, as expected. Her physical diminutiveness is a nice contrast to her Katherine's venomous tongue and quicksilver temper. But it is Sewell who impresses most. Here Henderson's portrayal is over-the-top, full of hisses and snarls. It could be quite challenging to create chemistry with and a lesser actor may have been steamrolled by the ferocity. But here the writer makes Sewell's Petruchio delightfully unhinged. Played charmingly by Sewell, he may even be more socially challenged than Katherine. Together he and Henderson have a demented chemistry that works. Just watch the elevator scene where they first meet.
The supporting cast is of course excellent. With special mentions to Twiggy (the former model) and Jaime Murray, playing Katherine's mother and sister respectively, for bringing life and humor to what may have otherwise been bland characters.
The real gem of this adaptation is in the full-on, guns blazing performances of the lead actors. Shirley Henderson and Rufus Sewell are actually playing up types they've played before. Henderson is known for playing quirky, outsider leading lady types, while Sewell has been somewhat typecast in noblemen roles. Here they have taken those familiar caricatures and raised the lunacy level up about ten notches. What's surprising is just how well it works.
Henderson is great, as expected. Her physical diminutiveness is a nice contrast to her Katherine's venomous tongue and quicksilver temper. But it is Sewell who impresses most. Here Henderson's portrayal is over-the-top, full of hisses and snarls. It could be quite challenging to create chemistry with and a lesser actor may have been steamrolled by the ferocity. But here the writer makes Sewell's Petruchio delightfully unhinged. Played charmingly by Sewell, he may even be more socially challenged than Katherine. Together he and Henderson have a demented chemistry that works. Just watch the elevator scene where they first meet.
The supporting cast is of course excellent. With special mentions to Twiggy (the former model) and Jaime Murray, playing Katherine's mother and sister respectively, for bringing life and humor to what may have otherwise been bland characters.
Excellent film, shouldn't be missed
pl-trexe15 June 2008
I really loved it. Not always you can find a so entertaining adaptation, specially of a Shakespeare's play and a comedy!. Laugh and a serious interpretation and reflexion about love and marriage without boring the audience is what this film gives you. A smart script, excellent music and good photography, there's no doubt why this film is so loved by so many people. This film has brilliant actors that keep your eyes on the screen with good lines,sarcasm and fantastic performances. Easily recommended, excellent for those who appreciate Shakespeare's plays and intelligent comedies.
Time watching it is time laughing.
Time watching it is time laughing.
It's what Shakespeare would have wanted!
annieoz24 January 2007
Great pairing of two wayward psychoses in this TAMING. How can you not fancy a man who'll not only turn up to his wedding wearing high heeled boots, eye shadow and nail polish but but who then has the chutzpah to take on the resultant triplets? No wonder Kate is so smug at the end.
Shirley Henderson is a fabulous fruitcake, bolting on to her THE WAY WE LIVE NOW characterization even more aggression, plus much fruitful searing and wonderful body language. She'd be at home in Sicily if she didn't get knocked off first.
Rufus Sewell crosses every obstacle in presenting Petruchio as a remotely possible twentieth century human being and even makes you think you'd invite him to a dinner party (possibly a major mistake).
The rest of the casting was equally choice (my heart was especially taken by Twiggy) and the wit was sharper than a serpent's tooth!
Shirley Henderson is a fabulous fruitcake, bolting on to her THE WAY WE LIVE NOW characterization even more aggression, plus much fruitful searing and wonderful body language. She'd be at home in Sicily if she didn't get knocked off first.
Rufus Sewell crosses every obstacle in presenting Petruchio as a remotely possible twentieth century human being and even makes you think you'd invite him to a dinner party (possibly a major mistake).
The rest of the casting was equally choice (my heart was especially taken by Twiggy) and the wit was sharper than a serpent's tooth!
Brilliant, just brilliant!!
prose22 January 2007
I can't help thinking that the reaction I had to this tele-play (hilarity, surprise, horror, disgust, warm & fuzzies) was probably identical to how Shakepeare's original play was received in its day. Firstly, the casting was exquisite - Rufus Sewell was a big surprise to me, but perfectly cast as the boisterous and unpredictable Petruchio; Shirley Henderson spent much of the play enraged, but wonderfully (I'm stealing her word, 'Swivel'!!); and Stephen Tompkinson performed to his usually high standard as the sad manager to Katherine's sister, played by Jaime Murray.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? It was flawless, and like the other episodes of 'Shakespeare Retold', this play captured the feeling, the mood, the bawdiness of the original play, and in turn created an emotional response in the viewer which many stodgy and underdeveloped performances of the stage-play may not be able to reach.
And another thing......... I'd never thought much of Rufus Sewell, but in this he's something of a honey!!!
What can I say that hasn't already been said? It was flawless, and like the other episodes of 'Shakespeare Retold', this play captured the feeling, the mood, the bawdiness of the original play, and in turn created an emotional response in the viewer which many stodgy and underdeveloped performances of the stage-play may not be able to reach.
And another thing......... I'd never thought much of Rufus Sewell, but in this he's something of a honey!!!
Fantastic
Wandering_Lilly22 November 2005
The romance was off beat and Kate was a little strange but it just goes to show that 2 complete opposites can be perfect for each other in every way. They just needed someone to - corny line coming up - Complete them.
This story shows that love can change people for the better and meeting a person who is not like you in the outside world but has exactly the same insecurities and needs on the inside is a rare and beautiful thing.
They should make more dramas like this.
This is one retold Shakespeare story i would watch again and again.
I hope it wasn't just me but i thought Rufus looked remarkably HOT in that skirt.
This story shows that love can change people for the better and meeting a person who is not like you in the outside world but has exactly the same insecurities and needs on the inside is a rare and beautiful thing.
They should make more dramas like this.
This is one retold Shakespeare story i would watch again and again.
I hope it wasn't just me but i thought Rufus looked remarkably HOT in that skirt.
The Most laughter i have Had in many Many years
michaelgpgallagher21 November 2005
From the very outset, I was "dubled up" with laughter induced only by what I saw and heard from this excellent piece of work. The fact that "venom has no smell" made the complete picture of this all so fantastic. The photography, the cameras use of motion in a single frame was so French................ I LOVED EVERY SINGLE NANo SECOND.. Recommend this Paly for T.V. A Must for everyone who knows the Play, watched the Dramatics, seen it as it was written and how it has been so magnificently transfered to a modern day with so much, Oh So much of the original. Want to see this again and again.......I would never have thought that someone could take the brilliance of Shakespeares Taming Of The Shrew and be able to put this kind of production to the small screen. The character Tomlinson played was just so much of what I viewed as the asides on stage and on screen yet brilliant in every move and word he uttered
Brilliant Retell of a great story
rosian5 August 2007
Warning: Spoilers
----spoiler---
Simply wonderful retell of this clever Shakespeare comedy. I loved every minute of this new version. This isn't just because of the perfect casting but also the very good script. This writer had absolutely everything right. Rufus Sewell, a favourite of mine anyway, is just amazing in this. I'd never before thought of him in women's clothes but he looks completely stunning even to the mini skirt and highheeled boots - he has great legs! The wedding is amazing! Shirley Henderson is a perfect match for him as the objectionable MP. It's not just full of laughs but plenty of warmth and tenderness too as the unlikely couple sort themselves out to become a completely likely couple. You really feel for all the characters including Kate's flashy sister with an out-for-the-main-chance student lover half her age, her mother and Bianca's long-suffering manager (played so poignantly by Stephen Tomkinson). Best of all are the final snapshots of "the future" which set the seal (threefold!) on this delightful tale.
I could watch this over and over again.
It's the best of the 4 retells on the Shakespeare Retold DVD which also contains retells of Much Ado, Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth. It also far outshines the quite good old musical Kiss Me Kate using the same basic story but which I found a bit boring but for the music.
I note Rufus Sewell and Shirley Henderson also starred as "husband and wife" in Charles II, another marvellous piece of TV.
Simply wonderful retell of this clever Shakespeare comedy. I loved every minute of this new version. This isn't just because of the perfect casting but also the very good script. This writer had absolutely everything right. Rufus Sewell, a favourite of mine anyway, is just amazing in this. I'd never before thought of him in women's clothes but he looks completely stunning even to the mini skirt and highheeled boots - he has great legs! The wedding is amazing! Shirley Henderson is a perfect match for him as the objectionable MP. It's not just full of laughs but plenty of warmth and tenderness too as the unlikely couple sort themselves out to become a completely likely couple. You really feel for all the characters including Kate's flashy sister with an out-for-the-main-chance student lover half her age, her mother and Bianca's long-suffering manager (played so poignantly by Stephen Tomkinson). Best of all are the final snapshots of "the future" which set the seal (threefold!) on this delightful tale.
I could watch this over and over again.
It's the best of the 4 retells on the Shakespeare Retold DVD which also contains retells of Much Ado, Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth. It also far outshines the quite good old musical Kiss Me Kate using the same basic story but which I found a bit boring but for the music.
I note Rufus Sewell and Shirley Henderson also starred as "husband and wife" in Charles II, another marvellous piece of TV.
dear god, i loved it
me-68722 November 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Granted it may have taken a few liberties with the plot, But in this day and age were children aren't even reading let alone Shakespeare, its good enough to get the idea/plots roughly into their heads surely. I loved it, stupidly loved it. At the end I was hyperventilating with joy. i haven't experience a TV induced high like that since North and South but even that was less extreme! normally when you want couple to get together all you get is a kiss, when they get married and have triplets and she gets her dream job well that just about make my week. of course the fact their married with children no more means their relationship will last than if they didn't. so really there is no reason to see that as a benefit, but i do! wasn't their honeymoon villa amazing-want it want it now i thought both Rufus and Shirley were fabulous hell everything was. Oh god I have no emotional backbone.Ah well, now you all think I'm mad I'll go of and watch it again (yes I videoed it -a good plan with hindsight)
Let Me Kiss You Kate
tedg9 May 2010
This is not a very good Shakespeare in my estimation, though everyone looks for different things, probably valuing others. There is no grand struggle here for control over the universe, and of course none of what happens — struggle or no — happens in the language.
But it is a crackling good movie. It has Shirley Henderson in the main role. I've long admired how she grabs the frame. Instead of her being defeated by a barrage of words, completely submerged as the real Kate is, she wins. She wins because everything around her is controlled by her. When the couple is happy, it is because both her character allows his quirks and also because she lets him into the film she commands as an actress. In time, she may become as tiresome as Judi Dench, but for now she is welcome.
This has a terrific score. Someone paid a lot of attention there.
And it does do something Will would: it shamelessly quotes and bends the genre. This is a date movie, plain and simple, under an intelligent commentary on date movies. With the play, the notion of instant, deep love had to be pulled out of exotic myth. We moderns have date movies to convince us what love is, and that it exists in a sparkley form.
Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.
But it is a crackling good movie. It has Shirley Henderson in the main role. I've long admired how she grabs the frame. Instead of her being defeated by a barrage of words, completely submerged as the real Kate is, she wins. She wins because everything around her is controlled by her. When the couple is happy, it is because both her character allows his quirks and also because she lets him into the film she commands as an actress. In time, she may become as tiresome as Judi Dench, but for now she is welcome.
This has a terrific score. Someone paid a lot of attention there.
And it does do something Will would: it shamelessly quotes and bends the genre. This is a date movie, plain and simple, under an intelligent commentary on date movies. With the play, the notion of instant, deep love had to be pulled out of exotic myth. We moderns have date movies to convince us what love is, and that it exists in a sparkley form.
Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.
Just as Galling as the Play.
amycomerford14 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
'The Taming of the Shrew' comes to life on screen in David Richard's and Sally Wainwright's episode of BBC Shakespeare-Told. As a series which received glowing praise, I expected much more than I received. Perhaps it is the very nature of the play that makes it so hard to create an appealing adaption. I highly doubt any version of female suppression and misogyny would be very entertaining for me, no matter who took part in it or what the plot was. While the play is supposed to make us question our assumptions about 'proper' gender roles and our opinions regarding power struggles in relationships, I cannot quite move past the blatant element of sexism so intrinsic to the basic storyline of both Shakespeare's play and Richard's adaption. Overall the adaption lacked believability and made for some pretty uncomfortable viewing.
However, to each dark gloomy cloud, there is a silver lining. In the case of Richard and Wainwright's work, the casting does its best to make this adaption bearable for a modern audience. Shirley Henderson's portrayal of Katherine Minola is on the money in terms of faithfulness to the play. The Katherine of Shakespeare's play is quite the character. She berates her father publicly, ties up and beats her sister, breaks musical instruments over people's heads and is innately rude and bad tempered. Shirley Henderson manages to capture the essence of Shakespeare's Kate expertly. Our first encounter with Henderson's Katherine Minola is like something out of a cartoon. As she barrels through Westminster like a scalded cat with people turning on their heel to get out of her war path, she is every bit the villain she is made out to be in the play. Her interchange with poor David Mitchel, while bizarre to watch perfectly encapsulates everything that Katherine Minola is believed to be: a shrew.
However, while I do admire how well Henderson plays up the childish temper tantrum qualities of Katherine's personality, it is something that I cannot quite reconcile with her identity as a public figure. It simply does not mesh. A person in the public eye could not behave the way she does and still be seen as a credible leader. The damage to one's reputation if they broke a guitar over a stranger's head would be irreparable in real life. Her tempestuous behaviour does not translate to her job as a politician. It is not believable. On the other hand, Rufus Sewell gives a far more plausible performance as Petruchio. To his credit, he received a BAFTA Nomination for his role and it is easy to see why. He is a very charismatic in his role and is more than able to go toe to toe with the Shirley Henderson. He holds his own throughout and captures the immaturity that Shakespeare's Petruchio displays. Sewell shrewdly portrays the selfish nature of Petruchio while at the same time, for instance, he makes his decision to do a selfless thing like become a stay at home father so that Katherine can continue her political career a sincere act.
In terms of faithfulness to the original play, there are aspects that I both like and dislike. Shakespeare's original work was a comedy, and this adaption is no different. The witty banter between Katherine and Petruchio remains. The elevator scene after Bianca's party is hilarious as Petruchio meeting Katherine for the first time shouts 'kiss me Kate' to which she vehemently replies 'up yours weirdo'. The scene in the park is also full of humour with Petruchio being hit with a bike and a football while Katherine questions his motives asking 'Are you stalking me?' to which he says 'No, but I'd like to'. There are some great one liners throughout including Petruchio's declaration that 'I want you (Kate) to have all my babies' as well as Katherine's mother (Twiggy Lawson) admission 'you don't shop around the corner, do you?'.
More negatively, the subplot between Bianca and Lucentio was reduced to an afterthought. If they had been removed from the film it would not have made much difference as they were almost non-existent as it is. Similarly, so is my critique of it.
Regarding the infamous moment at the end of the play when Katherine makes her speech declaring her obedience to her new husband, I admired that the BBC retelling just as open to interpretation. Are we to believe Katherine? While Henderson gives off a cold, defeatist attitude, the speech is full of contradictions. She claims her husband is her 'Lord and Boss' yet she commands him to stay at home with their children so she can continue to work. It is just as ambiguous as the play's ending and we cannot be quite sure if Katherine has been tamed.
Overall, the adaption is just as galling as the play. While Henderson makes a good Katherine, there is an irreconcilable flaw to her behaviour with her role as a politician. Bianca and Lucentio do not serve the plot particularly well. Petruchio's abuse is given a humorous overtone as he slashes Kate's tires and throws her clothes in the pool, but at the end of the day is still incredulous. Alas, there is something fundamentally wrong with a woman being forced into marriage to further her aspirations, and it makes for painful viewing.
However, to each dark gloomy cloud, there is a silver lining. In the case of Richard and Wainwright's work, the casting does its best to make this adaption bearable for a modern audience. Shirley Henderson's portrayal of Katherine Minola is on the money in terms of faithfulness to the play. The Katherine of Shakespeare's play is quite the character. She berates her father publicly, ties up and beats her sister, breaks musical instruments over people's heads and is innately rude and bad tempered. Shirley Henderson manages to capture the essence of Shakespeare's Kate expertly. Our first encounter with Henderson's Katherine Minola is like something out of a cartoon. As she barrels through Westminster like a scalded cat with people turning on their heel to get out of her war path, she is every bit the villain she is made out to be in the play. Her interchange with poor David Mitchel, while bizarre to watch perfectly encapsulates everything that Katherine Minola is believed to be: a shrew.
However, while I do admire how well Henderson plays up the childish temper tantrum qualities of Katherine's personality, it is something that I cannot quite reconcile with her identity as a public figure. It simply does not mesh. A person in the public eye could not behave the way she does and still be seen as a credible leader. The damage to one's reputation if they broke a guitar over a stranger's head would be irreparable in real life. Her tempestuous behaviour does not translate to her job as a politician. It is not believable. On the other hand, Rufus Sewell gives a far more plausible performance as Petruchio. To his credit, he received a BAFTA Nomination for his role and it is easy to see why. He is a very charismatic in his role and is more than able to go toe to toe with the Shirley Henderson. He holds his own throughout and captures the immaturity that Shakespeare's Petruchio displays. Sewell shrewdly portrays the selfish nature of Petruchio while at the same time, for instance, he makes his decision to do a selfless thing like become a stay at home father so that Katherine can continue her political career a sincere act.
In terms of faithfulness to the original play, there are aspects that I both like and dislike. Shakespeare's original work was a comedy, and this adaption is no different. The witty banter between Katherine and Petruchio remains. The elevator scene after Bianca's party is hilarious as Petruchio meeting Katherine for the first time shouts 'kiss me Kate' to which she vehemently replies 'up yours weirdo'. The scene in the park is also full of humour with Petruchio being hit with a bike and a football while Katherine questions his motives asking 'Are you stalking me?' to which he says 'No, but I'd like to'. There are some great one liners throughout including Petruchio's declaration that 'I want you (Kate) to have all my babies' as well as Katherine's mother (Twiggy Lawson) admission 'you don't shop around the corner, do you?'.
More negatively, the subplot between Bianca and Lucentio was reduced to an afterthought. If they had been removed from the film it would not have made much difference as they were almost non-existent as it is. Similarly, so is my critique of it.
Regarding the infamous moment at the end of the play when Katherine makes her speech declaring her obedience to her new husband, I admired that the BBC retelling just as open to interpretation. Are we to believe Katherine? While Henderson gives off a cold, defeatist attitude, the speech is full of contradictions. She claims her husband is her 'Lord and Boss' yet she commands him to stay at home with their children so she can continue to work. It is just as ambiguous as the play's ending and we cannot be quite sure if Katherine has been tamed.
Overall, the adaption is just as galling as the play. While Henderson makes a good Katherine, there is an irreconcilable flaw to her behaviour with her role as a politician. Bianca and Lucentio do not serve the plot particularly well. Petruchio's abuse is given a humorous overtone as he slashes Kate's tires and throws her clothes in the pool, but at the end of the day is still incredulous. Alas, there is something fundamentally wrong with a woman being forced into marriage to further her aspirations, and it makes for painful viewing.
Charming and entertaining
aerosparked28 August 2006
I'm not a big fan of Shakespeare. Never got into the whole phenom. If it weren't for the fact that Rufus Sewell was starring with Shirley Henderson, I probably would not have bothered watching this.
But I'm glad I did. It's completely charming, captivating, odd, and extremely entertaining. Rufus and Shirley are seriously the wildest characters I've ever seen put together on television. The strangest thing is, the chemistry actually worked. By the end of the film, everything just felt right. I smiled and clapped for these characters, because despite the odds, they found and accepted each other.
This is the second time I've been introduced to Rufus Sewell, and I do hope to see him lots in the future. I've never seen a man dressed in drag still look that attractive.
But I'm glad I did. It's completely charming, captivating, odd, and extremely entertaining. Rufus and Shirley are seriously the wildest characters I've ever seen put together on television. The strangest thing is, the chemistry actually worked. By the end of the film, everything just felt right. I smiled and clapped for these characters, because despite the odds, they found and accepted each other.
This is the second time I've been introduced to Rufus Sewell, and I do hope to see him lots in the future. I've never seen a man dressed in drag still look that attractive.
Where Did I leave my luggage?
majachristensen20 May 2006
I have never seen "The Taming of the Shrew" before, but I admit it was worth watching. This adaptation was fantastic. So were the main characters, Shirley Henderson and Rufus Sewell. They were so good together - they really connected.
I did not know who Rufus Sewell was, but he was really funny too he made me laugh. Especially when he got out of that taxi with heavy eyeliner and nail polish, almost stripped to the waist and top of it all knee high black boots, he looked like a real Glam Rocker from the seventies what a sight it was!! For a moment I thought he wanted to boogie, instead he decided to get married and down towards the altar he tottered.
I think Rufus's a brilliant actor, remarkably appealing and very fascinating too. I really hope he will make more plays like this one in the future.
I did not know who Rufus Sewell was, but he was really funny too he made me laugh. Especially when he got out of that taxi with heavy eyeliner and nail polish, almost stripped to the waist and top of it all knee high black boots, he looked like a real Glam Rocker from the seventies what a sight it was!! For a moment I thought he wanted to boogie, instead he decided to get married and down towards the altar he tottered.
I think Rufus's a brilliant actor, remarkably appealing and very fascinating too. I really hope he will make more plays like this one in the future.
BBC shakespeaRetold Taming of the Shrew
Thomasdinnegan759 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
BBC's ShakespeaRetold Taming of the Shrew is a 2005 adaptation of William Shakespeare's play of the same name. Adapted by Sally Wainwright, the film explores the life of Katherine Minola (Shirley Henderson), who is a politician running for leadership of the opposition, who one day aspires to be Prime Minister. Katherine, who is an "ugly, bad tempered, pure out violent, sad, strange, screw up with problems" is told that in order to become leader of her party, she must improve her image and guess what; there is no better way for a Conservative MP to improve their image than by marriage! Katherine completely dismisses this idea until she gets stuck in an elevator with Petruchio (Rufus Sewell), who is a "big, eccentric, overwhelming" man who is in a lot of debt and who needs to find himself a wealthy wife, see where this is going?. All the while, Katherine has to deal with her beautiful, famous sister Bianca and her mother, who she lacks anything in common with.
When we are first introduced to the character of Katherine, the scene is reminiscent of something out of a horror movie. She briskly walks the halls of West Minister as people cower and hide from her; imagine Hyacinth Bucket with violent personal traits. The polar opposite of Katherine is her sister Bianca (Jaime Murray), who is a famous model. As she walks by flicking her hair, in slow motion of course, people stop and stare in complete awe of her beauty; imagine Marilyn Monroe in the 1950's. It is clear that Katherine and Bianca are supposed to be opposites; however, Wainwright exaggerates this to a level not seen before! Shirley Henderson pulls overly exaggerated ugly faces on a constant basis throughout the film, while screeching, hitting, smashing guitars over people's heads and turning tables upside down. Her overacting gets so bad at some points that you would not be wrong in thinking that a five year old child had taken control of her body. Yes, of course the character of Catherine has childish qualities; however, Henderson portrays Katherine as a moody teenage girl just hitting puberty and does the character little justice. It just doesn't work. In contrast to Henderson, Rufus Sewell gives a good portrayal of the character of Petruchio. He captures the child like qualities of the character, such as his constant need of reassurance and attention and acts them out in a believable way. Every time he is on screen, he commands your attention, unlike Henderson who pulls the same faces and screeches the same way throughout. There is only so much screeching a person's ears can take in 90 minutes! To be fair to Henderson, the film is set up in such a way that she is suppose to be overly dramatic, violent, rude and unstable, however there is way too much exaggeration in many of her scenes.
Although the relationship of Katherine and Petruchio is the centre piece of the film, there are some sub-plots including Harry's (Stephen Tompkinson) love for Bianca and constant rejection and Bianca's rather quickly developed relationship with a 19 year old Lucentio (Santiago Cabrera). Harry is Bianca's manager, who proposes to her a number of times daily. When Bianca sees Lucentio in the airport, she asks the Air Hostess to put him beside her and after the flight she tells Harry that he is sacked, as she doesn't need him anymore. As she tells him this, Lucentio arrives and Bianca tells Harry that he is going to teach her Italian, a rather unwitty metaphor for sex. Again, of course the character of Bianca is suppose to have men falling at her feet because of her beauty, however the inclusion of a 19 year old Lucentio who looks thirty, who she meets very quickly at the airport adds little to the film. We are never given an insight into their relationship, so it just seems pointless.
Although most of the review has been negative so far, you'll be glad to know that there are some interesting and likable things in the film. The 'verbal banter' which is evident in Shakespeare's play between Katherine and Petruchio, is also evident in this film and can be quite hilarious at times. This is most evident when they first meet and end up getting stuck in an elevator together. Petruchio claims that he wants to marry her shouting "kiss me Kate", while she continuously insults him replying "up yours weirdo". The park scene is hilarious also. As the two meet, Petruchio is hit by a bike and a football. Katherine asks him "are you stalking me?" to which he says "No, but I'd like too". Katherine then enquires about what he wants, and he provides the movies best line and biggest laugh out loud moment when he says "I want you to have all my babies!" Sewell's deliverance of the line is genius. Katherine's mother provides some comical lines throughout also, asking her daughter rather bluntly "you don't shop around the corner, do you? Because some people think you do, and you see if you got married they wouldn't".
In all, Sally Wainwright's adaptation of the Taming of the Shrew is rather disappointing. The film is exaggerated and over acted throughout. Wainwright takes two incredibly complex and interesting characters and dumbs them down to nothing more than a pair of mentally unstable spoilt kids. Although there are some funny moments in the film and some of the lines are clever, the majority fall flat and are met with groans rather than laughter. Sewell's portrayal of Petruchio is a positive aspect, however; the dumbing down of the characters and Henderson's overacting are unforgivable. Overall, BBC's ShakespeaRetold Taming of the Shrew is an overacted, exaggerated film that lacks depth and fresh thought, because of that; I award it 2 out of 5 stars.
When we are first introduced to the character of Katherine, the scene is reminiscent of something out of a horror movie. She briskly walks the halls of West Minister as people cower and hide from her; imagine Hyacinth Bucket with violent personal traits. The polar opposite of Katherine is her sister Bianca (Jaime Murray), who is a famous model. As she walks by flicking her hair, in slow motion of course, people stop and stare in complete awe of her beauty; imagine Marilyn Monroe in the 1950's. It is clear that Katherine and Bianca are supposed to be opposites; however, Wainwright exaggerates this to a level not seen before! Shirley Henderson pulls overly exaggerated ugly faces on a constant basis throughout the film, while screeching, hitting, smashing guitars over people's heads and turning tables upside down. Her overacting gets so bad at some points that you would not be wrong in thinking that a five year old child had taken control of her body. Yes, of course the character of Catherine has childish qualities; however, Henderson portrays Katherine as a moody teenage girl just hitting puberty and does the character little justice. It just doesn't work. In contrast to Henderson, Rufus Sewell gives a good portrayal of the character of Petruchio. He captures the child like qualities of the character, such as his constant need of reassurance and attention and acts them out in a believable way. Every time he is on screen, he commands your attention, unlike Henderson who pulls the same faces and screeches the same way throughout. There is only so much screeching a person's ears can take in 90 minutes! To be fair to Henderson, the film is set up in such a way that she is suppose to be overly dramatic, violent, rude and unstable, however there is way too much exaggeration in many of her scenes.
Although the relationship of Katherine and Petruchio is the centre piece of the film, there are some sub-plots including Harry's (Stephen Tompkinson) love for Bianca and constant rejection and Bianca's rather quickly developed relationship with a 19 year old Lucentio (Santiago Cabrera). Harry is Bianca's manager, who proposes to her a number of times daily. When Bianca sees Lucentio in the airport, she asks the Air Hostess to put him beside her and after the flight she tells Harry that he is sacked, as she doesn't need him anymore. As she tells him this, Lucentio arrives and Bianca tells Harry that he is going to teach her Italian, a rather unwitty metaphor for sex. Again, of course the character of Bianca is suppose to have men falling at her feet because of her beauty, however the inclusion of a 19 year old Lucentio who looks thirty, who she meets very quickly at the airport adds little to the film. We are never given an insight into their relationship, so it just seems pointless.
Although most of the review has been negative so far, you'll be glad to know that there are some interesting and likable things in the film. The 'verbal banter' which is evident in Shakespeare's play between Katherine and Petruchio, is also evident in this film and can be quite hilarious at times. This is most evident when they first meet and end up getting stuck in an elevator together. Petruchio claims that he wants to marry her shouting "kiss me Kate", while she continuously insults him replying "up yours weirdo". The park scene is hilarious also. As the two meet, Petruchio is hit by a bike and a football. Katherine asks him "are you stalking me?" to which he says "No, but I'd like too". Katherine then enquires about what he wants, and he provides the movies best line and biggest laugh out loud moment when he says "I want you to have all my babies!" Sewell's deliverance of the line is genius. Katherine's mother provides some comical lines throughout also, asking her daughter rather bluntly "you don't shop around the corner, do you? Because some people think you do, and you see if you got married they wouldn't".
In all, Sally Wainwright's adaptation of the Taming of the Shrew is rather disappointing. The film is exaggerated and over acted throughout. Wainwright takes two incredibly complex and interesting characters and dumbs them down to nothing more than a pair of mentally unstable spoilt kids. Although there are some funny moments in the film and some of the lines are clever, the majority fall flat and are met with groans rather than laughter. Sewell's portrayal of Petruchio is a positive aspect, however; the dumbing down of the characters and Henderson's overacting are unforgivable. Overall, BBC's ShakespeaRetold Taming of the Shrew is an overacted, exaggerated film that lacks depth and fresh thought, because of that; I award it 2 out of 5 stars.
The Taming of the Shrew Review - Shakespeare-Told
d-leonard1616 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
In this 2005 adaption, Shakespeare's comedy 'The Taming of the Shrew' is brought to the small screen by the BBC in an interesting but over-all flat take on the controversial classic. Directed by David Richards, this modern spin of one of the lesser known Shakespearean plays deals with Katherine Minola (Shirley Henderson), a British MP who hopes to become Party Leader and eventually win the role of Prime Minister. However, Katherine is widely viewed as an "ugly, bad-tempered... sad, strange screw-up" and her violent nature and rash behaviour puts this dream at risk from the outset of the film. In order to overcome her reputation, Katherine is told she must marry to soften her public image, a notion she completely ignores until she meets the charming Petruchio (Rufus Sewell) at a party and the two get trapped in a lift together. Petruchio needs money urgently and Katherine needs to change her reputation among the public, thus beginning an unlikely and oftentimes unwilling romance between these two bad-tempered and brash main characters.
While I thought the setting of this adaption was clever and some of the character work was delightful, I found this to be a poor take on the Shakespearean classic over all. The play itself deals with the difficult ideas of gender roles and abusive relationships, themes which can be hard to read for a modern audience. The psychological torture of Katherine by Petruchio in order to 'tame' her is seen in a negative light by contemporary readers and film-makers can have difficulty modernising this concept without coming across as misogynistic or portraying spousal abuse too lightly on-screen. It is in this grey area that I think the film falls down the most. From the outset, oppressive gender expectations are placed on Katherine. She is a successful, single woman who is told that she will not be able to achieve her dreams without a man and a family at her side. While this does seem like a case of stretching the believability of the character's world to fit the parameters of an older play text, it is a smart move on behalf of screen writer Sally Wainwright. As much as it pains us to admit it, very few world leaders get elected to office without a family or a charming spouse to stand beside them in the press. It's a depressing reality of the world we live in and one the film comments on cleverly. However, the relationship between Petruchio and Kate in this adaption is one that dances on this fine line achieved by the play's set up and oftentimes stumbles over it and becomes hard to watch. From their initial meeting, the two have a witty banter, with Kate's sharp tongue being matched perfectly by his brutish humour and innuendo. These exchanges, though bad- tempered are cloaked in wit and are pleasant for the audience to watch. It takes a turn when Katherine slaps Petruchio and he promises to hit her back "harder" if she does it again. This violent moment foreshadows the rest of the film for us as an audience. It is not until after they marry, that we truly see the film fall into the trap of following the play text too closely. Petruchio denies her transport, slashing the tires on the car while on honeymoon. He hides her luggage and phone, denies her food and does everything he can just to irritate her in general. While this is played off by Petruchio's best friend Harry (Stephen Tompkinson) as him being an "unstable, unbalanced exhibitionist who just needs someone to take of him", it is hard to watch and creates huge sympathy for Katherine. The film then depicts them falling in love, the day after he displays these abusive tendencies towards her and I felt that this was not enough time to create a likability for Petruchio or make us want to root for this relationship. We spend the remainder of the film in dismay watching the two together.
The characters and their roles in this adaption range from successful to pointless. While the casting is fantastic and each actor brings life to their characters, sub-plots are largely over- looked, to the detriment of the film. Kate's beautiful and famous sister Bianca (Jaime Murray) falls for an Italian 19 year old, Lucentio, (Santiago Cabrera) while dismissing the affections of her manager Harry. This entre sub-plot is shoved into the film at random intervals and does nothing to further the plot or show a difference between Bianca and Kate as it does in the play. It lets down the adaption massively and the two leads are barely able to carry it on their own without any sub-plots of substance behind them. Though Sewell is excellent as the charming and desperate Petruchio, Henderson is almost too extreme in her portrayal of Katherine.. In the early portion of the film, I found that she portrayed the violent and screeching nature of Kate to an exaggerated level. However, she redeemed herself in her portrayal of Kate's clever wit. She understands Petruchio's nature and knows how to manipulate him by acting like the perfect wife. In the end, Katherine even convinces this once domineering and controlling man to be a stay at home father while she runs the country. She has him in the palm of her hand, a conclusion that ties up the ambiguity of the play's ending very well.
Over-all, I wasn't particularly impressed by this adaption. It sacrifices the sub-plots and minor characters of the original text to focus wholly on the relationship between Katherine and Petruchio, one which is rushed, clunky and hard to watch on screen. We do not believe in the development of them as a couple and we can barely bring ourselves to root for Kate when we should, a major area of weakness in the film. I would rate it 5 out of 10 stars.
While I thought the setting of this adaption was clever and some of the character work was delightful, I found this to be a poor take on the Shakespearean classic over all. The play itself deals with the difficult ideas of gender roles and abusive relationships, themes which can be hard to read for a modern audience. The psychological torture of Katherine by Petruchio in order to 'tame' her is seen in a negative light by contemporary readers and film-makers can have difficulty modernising this concept without coming across as misogynistic or portraying spousal abuse too lightly on-screen. It is in this grey area that I think the film falls down the most. From the outset, oppressive gender expectations are placed on Katherine. She is a successful, single woman who is told that she will not be able to achieve her dreams without a man and a family at her side. While this does seem like a case of stretching the believability of the character's world to fit the parameters of an older play text, it is a smart move on behalf of screen writer Sally Wainwright. As much as it pains us to admit it, very few world leaders get elected to office without a family or a charming spouse to stand beside them in the press. It's a depressing reality of the world we live in and one the film comments on cleverly. However, the relationship between Petruchio and Kate in this adaption is one that dances on this fine line achieved by the play's set up and oftentimes stumbles over it and becomes hard to watch. From their initial meeting, the two have a witty banter, with Kate's sharp tongue being matched perfectly by his brutish humour and innuendo. These exchanges, though bad- tempered are cloaked in wit and are pleasant for the audience to watch. It takes a turn when Katherine slaps Petruchio and he promises to hit her back "harder" if she does it again. This violent moment foreshadows the rest of the film for us as an audience. It is not until after they marry, that we truly see the film fall into the trap of following the play text too closely. Petruchio denies her transport, slashing the tires on the car while on honeymoon. He hides her luggage and phone, denies her food and does everything he can just to irritate her in general. While this is played off by Petruchio's best friend Harry (Stephen Tompkinson) as him being an "unstable, unbalanced exhibitionist who just needs someone to take of him", it is hard to watch and creates huge sympathy for Katherine. The film then depicts them falling in love, the day after he displays these abusive tendencies towards her and I felt that this was not enough time to create a likability for Petruchio or make us want to root for this relationship. We spend the remainder of the film in dismay watching the two together.
The characters and their roles in this adaption range from successful to pointless. While the casting is fantastic and each actor brings life to their characters, sub-plots are largely over- looked, to the detriment of the film. Kate's beautiful and famous sister Bianca (Jaime Murray) falls for an Italian 19 year old, Lucentio, (Santiago Cabrera) while dismissing the affections of her manager Harry. This entre sub-plot is shoved into the film at random intervals and does nothing to further the plot or show a difference between Bianca and Kate as it does in the play. It lets down the adaption massively and the two leads are barely able to carry it on their own without any sub-plots of substance behind them. Though Sewell is excellent as the charming and desperate Petruchio, Henderson is almost too extreme in her portrayal of Katherine.. In the early portion of the film, I found that she portrayed the violent and screeching nature of Kate to an exaggerated level. However, she redeemed herself in her portrayal of Kate's clever wit. She understands Petruchio's nature and knows how to manipulate him by acting like the perfect wife. In the end, Katherine even convinces this once domineering and controlling man to be a stay at home father while she runs the country. She has him in the palm of her hand, a conclusion that ties up the ambiguity of the play's ending very well.
Over-all, I wasn't particularly impressed by this adaption. It sacrifices the sub-plots and minor characters of the original text to focus wholly on the relationship between Katherine and Petruchio, one which is rushed, clunky and hard to watch on screen. We do not believe in the development of them as a couple and we can barely bring ourselves to root for Kate when we should, a major area of weakness in the film. I would rate it 5 out of 10 stars.
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