Julie Taymor's Ferociously Divisive 'Tempest' Adaptation (trailer)

Julie Taymor’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest was recently featured as the centerpiece at the 48th annual New York Film Festival. Despite this honor, the film—which stars Helen Mirren in the masculine role of sorcerer Prospero—the film left mutterings of dissent in its wake. The trailer does little to dispel gripes that Taymor’s vision is kitschy, over-reliant on CGI, and hampered by the fact that Russell Brand is really, really annoying. Having been in attendance at the NYFF screening, I can attest that, while The Tempest has its faults, it is also a visual delight and a unique diversion from the usual cinematic treatment Shakespeare plays usually get. At the very least, I highly doubt any other movie this year will feature a transparent, asexual sprite, or at least not one with a head of hair so fantastic.