Movie Review: Anonymous (2011)

"Anonymous" is a psuedo-historical thriller that explores the idea that William Shakespeare may not have been the author of the works we attribute to him.  Rather, Edward de Vere (Rhys Ifans), 17th Earl of Oxford, is the man behind the works.  Edward's life is shown as he is discouraged from writing as a young man and later as a nobleman.  He is depicted as a former lover of Queen Elizabeth and father of one of her secret children though he is married to the daughter of a powerful advisor in Elizabeth's court.  A political struggle breaks out as Elizabeth needs to name an heir.  Edward backs one of Elizabeth's illegitimate sons while his father-in-law is backing James of Scotland.  Edward notices how the audience is swayed by a play written by Ben Johnson and approaches Ben to put on one of his plays.  Ben does so but doesn't want to put his name to the unproven work.  When the play is a success a drunken actor named William Shakespeare steps forward to claim credit.  Edward continues feeding scripts to Ben and William continues to take credit while Edward attempts to advance his political cause.

I thought the acting, primarily Rhys Ifans, was good.  The costuming and staging was great as well.  I think that for someone without much knowledge of British history and Shakespeare may have problems following some of the script.  I know I had problems following at times as the script weaves together Edward's life through flashbacks.  It definitely helps to have some background knowledge but if you stay with the film I think you can figure out the confusing parts.  The film overall gives solid suspense weaving history and historical figures throughout.

This film is NOT a documentary so please don't take it as fact the presentation of Edward as the real Shakespeare or that Shakespeare himself is not the true author.  Rather this is a work of historical fiction exploring one possibility of who really wrote the famous works.  The audience has to accept that this is merely what could have happened and open their minds to the possibility.

I say suspend belief and open your mind to the possibility and rent this one - A-.