I am cautiously excited for The Tempest. It is my favorite Shakespeare play. But as movie adaptations of Shakespeare go, they can be underwhelming-- see Romeo+Juliet. The director, Julie Taymor is best known for the Broadway production The Lion King. She has some experience with Shakespeare as well, directing an stunning rendition of Titus Andronicus, Titan. But what worries me is that too much of a focus of the spectacle of the play. The Tempest is one of the more magical and supernatural of the plays, and is a great opportunity for a director with an eye for cinematic visuals to play around. I am looking forward for what she chooses to do with the banquet scene. But what worries me is her previous film, Across the Universe. This Beatles' musical, despite interesting set design, costumes, and psychedelia, lost all of it power and meaning by terrible casting and contrived writing. I think it is a good choice for her to work upon the foundation of Shakespeare's verse and story.
My favorite character, Caliban, is being portrayed by one Djimon Hounsou. The fish-man always holds a place in my mind when I think of primordial morality. Along with other great simple men, Benjy for The Sound and The Fury, Caliban always gives me a way to think about the morality of the depraved man. He recognizes himself and divinity, pain and pleasure, the self and other. He has an inkling of the concept of private propery-- or rather he understands the pain of being robbed, but is unable to give an account of why. His ultimate sin, the attempt of the rape of Miranda, does not invoke any remorse. He is the man without shame. And neither pride. "Any print of good wilt not take..." But by the end of the play, he seeks grace. How can this creature receive grace if his soul cannot receive the mark of the good? Does Caliban have a soul?
