Othello (1995)

Cast, Etc.
Dir. Oliver Parker, Laurence Fishburne, Kenneth Branagh, Irene Jacob, Nathaniel Parker, Michael Maloney, score by Charlie Mole, rated R, 1995

Synopsis
A Moorish general becomes suspicous and then jealous of his wife because of lies from his friend.

Review
While Kenneth Branagh doesn't direct this film based on the Shakespeare play, it is still very well done. Othello tells the story of Othello (Fishburne, who, incidentally, was the first black man to play the part of Othello on film), a Moorish general in the Venetian armed forces who has just married Desdemona (Jacob), against her father's wishes. As the Venetian forces are sent abroad to fight another enemy, Desdemona is able to go with her husband. There, Iago (Branagh), an officer under Othello, begins to manipulate Othello into beliving Desdemona has been unfaithful with Cassio (Parker), Othelo's lieutenant. What follows is one of Shakespeare's masterpieces on human nature. Completely without proof, Iago is able to convince Othello that Desdemona, the woman he loves more than anything in the world, has been unfaithful. Iago is one of the great villains of all time; it is unclear in the film as to why Iago hates Othello so much. I may have to read the play and discover this. However, great villains really don't need a reason to be bad. So, we see Iago go about undermining Othello's belief in the bond of his wife just to be spiteful, because it doesn't seem as if Iago wants Desdemona for himself. This film is rather well done. The acting is superb and the sets are decorated enough to bring us into the world, but sparse enough to keep us focused on the words. Branagh, who usually plays the lead and the "hero" of Shakespeare, gets in touch with his evil side in bringing to life Iago, a villain with no remorse at all when speaking to the audience. However, since he is one of Othello's closest friends, he is suitably upset and perturbed at the "unfaithfulness" he sees going on with Desdemona and Cassio. Fishburne is excellent as Othello and brings the man's tragic tale (through his own fault, of course, but then that's Shakespeare) to the forefront and rivals Branagh for onscreen presence.

Highlights
Branagh; Fishburne; Iago's plot; Rodrigo (Maloney), who is in love with Desdemon and had no chance whatsoever

Rating
This film gets the red wine rating. As with most of Shakespeare's tragedies, this is full of intrigue and backstabbing and death. Great stuff for a drama. The villain is one of the greatest of all time. The score by Mole is well done, invoking the "exotic" side of Othello in all the right places.