I’d missed this film adaptation of Shakespeare’s final play at it’s release so I was glad to catch it at the Warwick Arts Centre. It’s one thing to read the play, it’s another to see it performed.

I’d thought that Shakespearian language would be hard to follow, but being spoken actually makes it far more understandable (if still requiring some concentration) than reading the text. I’ll not tell you the plot since you can go read it!

The film sticks to the play with the character of Prospero changed to the female Prospera, played with a strong assured presence by Mirren. At least I assume it was word for word, I wasn’t watching with a copy of the Tempest at hand… The advantage of film is that the various magical and supernatural elements in the play can be visualised to great effect, so for instance the otherworldliness of the spirit Ariel is conveyed nicely and the empty barren landscape of the island is used effectively as a dramatic stage.

I might have to re-read the play ‘cos I’d not recognised the journey Prospero takes, I’d originally seen the character as rather haughty and vengeful but the film clearly ends with a powerful act of forgiveness. A good film that even Russell Brand (playing a minor character) can’t spoil.