Julie Taymor’s THE TEMPEST Begins Shooting
By Norm Schrager at November 20, 2008 | 11:19 pm | Print
As a film director, Julie Taymor does everything big. That can work for her films – or work against them. The theater master, best known for the spellbinding puppetry and costuming for The Lion King, has directed three films since 1999. And every one has been a spectacle. Now, her filmed version of The Tempest has just begun production, with a top-shelf cast that includes Oscar winner Helen Mirren (The Queen), Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond), SAG / BAFTA nominee Alfred Molina (a personal favorite), Oscar nominee David Strathairn, Oscar winner Chris Cooper, Oscar nominee Tom Conti and Alan Cumming. Whew.
Taymor on the set of Across the Universe
Oh yeah, Taymor’s three films: 1) Titus, her gigantic, bloody take on Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, with Jessica Lange and Anthony Hopkins (2 hours, 42 minutes); 2) Frida, the Frida Kahlo biography starring Salma Hayek, a film as amazingly lively and colorful as Kahlo’s work itself. (a svelte 2 hours, 3 minutes); 3) Across the Universe, an overblown, overdone musical with a literal take on Beatles lyrics — and that instance where bigger isn’t always better. Who the hell wants to see lesser singers tackle the Beatles? Yes, I get it, you’re actually singing to a girl named Prudence!… By the final act, I thought this contrived ca-ca would never end. (2 hours, 13 minutes).
For The Tempest, Taymor is credited as screenwriter (adapted from Shakespeare, of course), and Australian Christopher Doyle is cinematographer, a regular for Wong Kar Wai and Gus Van Sant.
Trivia fact: This is actually Taymor’s second adaptation of The Tempest. In 1986, WNET in New York recorded Taymor’s stage production of the show.
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Allison, 1 year ago
I loved Titus but honestly, I’m a little sick of Shakespeare made into movies.
Sam, 1 year ago
Chris Doyle was fired over the weekend. Supposedly he called Miss Taymor an A**hole.
short list replacement: Stuart Dryburgh. Maybe he can deal with her nonsensical decisions and poor direction
Harvard, 1 year ago
Across the Universe was an exciting, passionate movie, chock full of important social issues, great performances, and splendid effects. If you couldn’t appreciate Across the Universe, then you have missed the boat. I’m sorry for you.
Sam, 1 year ago
I worked on A.T.U.. I can honestly say it was beyond a chore working for Mrs. Taymor. So, I thank you for your sympathies.
Norm Schrager, 1 year ago
@Harvard
I can appreciate your opinion, and I know I’m probably in the minority with my opinion of Across the Universe. It was simply too long and full of filmmaker conceit. And just because a film addresses important social issues doesn’t mean it’s effective in doing so…
@Sam
We’d like to hear more if you care to share. Otherwise, we do understand your discretion.
Patty, 6 months ago
she may be hell to work with and Across the Universe was indeed unwatchable, but The Tempest is pure magic and a perfect vehicle for her. It still kills me that John Cassavette’s Tempest never made it to DVD … talk about an original!
Norm Schrager, 6 months ago
That Cassavetes version of Tempest is actuallly directed by Paul Mazursky (An Unmarried Woman) and starred the late Cassavetes, his wife Gena Rowlands, and a 14-year-old named Molly Ringwald.
As Sam reported in late 2008, the cinematographer for the Taymor film is indeed Stuart Dryburgh (Amelia).