Looking for Richard

A fascinating insight into Pacino's take on Shakespeare's Richard III. A stellar ensemble cast and challenging interviews and discussions with same leave one dying to see the finished product, yet even though we never do the \"Process\" in itself is a satisfying experience.

It's a wildly indulgent, but fascinating documentary that really grapples with the significance of art in people's lives and the process of understanding great art.

Pacino's attempt to convey his enthusiasm for the Bard is unlikely to sway anyone not already familiar with Elizabethan-era sentence structure given the constant cutaways apparently required to explain what seems to be an overlong play that could've benefited from another revision. (Is Richard's preposterous seduction of Lady Anne necessary?) It is a pretty good Cliff's Notes for Richard III, offering some great performances when Pacino isn't showboating or smugly mugging for the camera.

Fascinating documentary which brilliantly (and cinematically) presents a close reading of the guts of RICHARD III, a snap-shot of typical contemporary reactions to Shakespeare, and also a unique view of the stage (and film) production process. While fragmented scenes make it difficult to fairly assess the performances, the entire cast is terrific, and the film is only occasionally let down by the surprisingly dull and superficial contributions of the actor interviewees (Gielgud, Branagh etc.)

Loved it. Pacino fighting Shakespeare's text, the popular view of Shakespeare, the purpose of theatre, the purpose of performance vs analysis (that scene where they finally decide to ask a crusty old Shakespeare scholar how Richard manages to seduce Anne and he has absolutely no clue... I laughed my ass off). Plus, damnit, Pacino makes a great Richard III. Or a bunch of good ones, at least.

#90s#, reviews, source Shakespeare, cast

hubris. But it's nice to see Alec Baldwin prove he's humble enough to get out of the way of the words and act Shakespeare.

Fabulous casting and a sly, witty look at one of the gems of the stage make this documentary a delight to watch from beginning to end. Pacino's goal, as stated, is to make Shakespeare accessible to the masses (since -- after all -- Shakespeare was, in his own time, a playwright of the masses). He succeeds admirably.