Brightest Young Things

For his directorial debut, actor Ralph Fiennes proves he can be equally ferocious behind the camera. Coriolanus is an update of one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known tragedies; it is also a savage war film, complete with gunfire, explosions, and even a knife fight. Working with screenwriter John Logan, Fiennes finds clever ways to modernize the text so that audiences are never lost in the murky world of Roman politics. Fiennes also stars as the titular general, filling his character with rage and seething contempt.

Filmed in modern-day Serbia, the war-torn locations are a visual companion for the civil unrest that frames the play. The people are unhappy with an ongoing food shortage, and they blame their hunger on Caius Martius (Fiennes), a Roman general. He makes no effort to appease the masses, and instead heads to Volscia so he can square off against Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler), his longtime enemy. After a lengthy battle, Martius is victorious, and the Senate gives him the title Coriolanus.

Leading up to the Volscian battle, Fiennes substitutes dialogue in favor of violence. Ironically, this decision is faithful to the source material, as the action does a shrewd job of defining the general. Nonstop gunfire and widespread danger electrifies Martius, and the audience will shares his desire for combat. When the action does slow down for a short speech, Fiennes motivates his underlings by insulting their fatigue and cowardice. Cruel and ruthless, Fiennes is convincing as an effective leader. By the time Martius faces off against Aufidius, their common hatred is the strongest bond either character possesses.

Yet glory is fleeting for Martius, and after returning to Rome, he finds he must appease the Senate. He has no interest in reliving his battle – Fiennes and Logan suggest he’s haunted by his memories – so he expresses his discomfort by railing against a public that demands a statesman. His mother (Vanessa Redgrave) is indifferent to his mental scars; she wants to advance the Martius legend so that he may wield more power. Only his wife (Jessica Chastain) worries about how warfare changes him. In the movie’s best scene, Fiennes finally unleashes a full-throated diatribe of misanthropic rage after two politicians (Paul Jesson and James Nesbitt) manipulate his anger. The scene happens in the most public of modern settings – on live network TV – and when the public sways against Martius, he must leave the city.

The unease of Martius is what drives him to near-madness. Family and politicians attempt to push him in one direction or another, and while we understand the character’s frustration, Logan and Fiennes make no apologies for him. His mother is the most open about her ambition – her character has echoes of Lady Macbeth, among other Shakespeare instigators – and Redgrave’s chilly delivery nearly makes her Fiennes’ equal. Brian Cox takes a different approach as Menenius, a longtime family friend. He plays the character as a manipulative politician who stands outside the fray, looking for the perfect opportunity to strike.  What becomes of Menenius, including the reasons behind his final decisions, is where Fiennes finds a rare moment of genuine weakness.

The consequences of Martius’ banishment are disastrous, and unfold at a slow-burn pace.  All-consuming anger is the reason Martius betrays Rome and takes up arms with Aufidius, and Fiennes sells the choice. His face is practically mangled by loathing and anger (he seems relatively calm after he sides with his former enemy). But when his mother arrives in Volscia so she may reason with her son, Logan and Fiennes cannot sell her appeal to his better nature. Their characterization of the general is simply too powerful; Redgrave gives the scene everything she's got, yet a mother’s pleas are no match for the preceding action and insight.

Despite its modern setting, its depiction of warfare, and its topical take on politics, Coriolanus is a character study at its core. Moment to moment, the adaptation's successes and failures depend entirely on the presence of Fiennes. Unfortunately, this amounts to an uneven movie. But Fiennes is so damn good when we’re watching him, it's easy to forgive the times he’s not there.

Previously in Another Movie Guy?:

• 3/30: Movie Review: "The Deep Blue Sea."
• 3/23: Movie Review: "Delicacy."
• 3/23: Movie Review: "Jiro Dreams of Sushi."
• 3/23: Movie Review: "The Hunger Games."
• 3/16: Movie Review: "21 Jump Street."
• 3/16: Movie Review: "Casa de mi Padre."
• 3/2: Movie Review: "Undefeated."
• 3/2: Movie Review: "Project X."
• 2/24: Movie Review: "Bullhead."
• 2/24: Movie Review: "Wanderlust."