Looking for Richard

1996

(Watched DVD from Netflix)

Directed by: Al Pacino
Written by: William Shakespeare (play), Al Pacino & Frederic Kimball (narration)
Cinematography: Robert Leacock
Cast: Al Pacino, Penelope Allen, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Winona Ryder, Estelle Parsons, Paul Guilfoyle, Aidan Quinn, F. Murray Abraham, Harris Yulin
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language and some scenes of violence

The Story: 

Looking for Richard is a 1996 documentary film and the first film directed by Al Pacino. It is both a performance of selected scenes of William Shakespeare's Richard III and a broader examination of Shakespeare's continuing role and relevance in popular culture. Pacino plays both himself and the title character. The movie guides the audience through the play's plot and historical background. Pacino and several fellow actors...act out scenes from the play. In addition, the actors comment on their roles. Pacino also features other actors famous for performing Shakespeare...[and] interviews with Shakespeare scholars and ordinary people on the street. [--Wikipedia]

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this, but it's not for everyone. Anything with Al Pacino is worth watching.  And all the acting in this film is top-notch and fascinating (especially Penelope Allen -- a real revelation).  But in the end, Looking for Richard is basically an extended rumination on the problems and pros/cons of filming a production of Richard III.  If you're a Pacino fan or a theater arts major, this is probably right down your street. Other, more normal, folk would be better served just seeing the play itself -- try Olivier's 1955 version first.

My IMDb Rating: 6 stars out of a possible 10