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Anonymous

Conspiracy theorists rejoice!

By layering royal conspiracies onto an already shaky Shakespeare-based one, Roland Emmerich ends up undermining his own arguments. But despite over-thinking his subject matter, probably for the first time in his career, the director can still be pleased with the way his messy, revisionist view of London looks. It's a feast for the eyes, but junk food for the brain.

The hype...
The debate between Oxfordians and Stratfordians has been growing ever louder. The former camp insists that there is no way a man from Stratford-upon-Avon, known as William Shakespeare, would have been able to complete the works he is credited with. The latter stay faithful to The Bard. Director Roland Emmerich is clearly with the Oxfordians, and has created a take on this incendiary theory, which involves politics, intrigue, sabotage and some stunning special effects. 'Anonymous' also looks absolutely bonkers.

The story...

Elizabethan England is a vibrant-yet-dangerous place. Opportunities are plenty for those talented, or brazen, enough to take a few risks, and this is particularly true in the competitive world of theatre.

Jobbing actor Will Shakespeare (Rafe Spall) is the lucky man credited with the greatest works of literature of the time, but he's an illiterate show-boater who can't even put one letter to the page.

The Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere (Rhys Ifans), is the real genius behind the likes of 'Hamlet' and 'Romeo & Juliet'. And by passing on his work to fellow playwright Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto), de Vere is able to keep the distance from the masses required to maintain his status, whilst also rallying the common man to fight the forces plotting against the Queen (Vanessa Redgrave).

The real enemy is much closer, however, as the Queen's own advisor William Cecil (David Thewlis) has his own plan to take the throne.

Having seen all the comings and goings at the palace since the Monarch was a young woman (Joely Richardson), Cecil is now using his influence to find an heir he deems suitable. Elizabeth’s close relationship with de Vere might hold the key, but what will happen when Shakespeare demands more money for his silence?

The breakdown...
This is the world according to director Roland Emmerich. Conspiracy theorists rejoice!

From its opening, in which Derek Jacobi takes to the stage, talks directly to the audience, and heads straight into a wonderfully recreated period setting, to its crazy ending, 'Anonymous' has to be applauded for its unapologetically brazen approach.

There is nothing subtle in this film. Having attended a debate between Oxfordians and Stratfordians ourselves, we can attest that this issue can get even the most eloquent speaker to raise their voice. So heaven knows what the Shakespeare loyalists will make of this film... Well, we can make a fair guess, and it isn't pretty.

It's inflammatory stuff. The first half might concentrate on the playwright issue, with Rhys Ifans doing a good job of getting across a man who could have produced such great works, but the second half becomes a political pot-boiler with Vanessa Redgrave portraying the ageing queen with a colourful past.

There is fun to be had with just how far Emmerich is willing to go, but this approach also leads you to unnecessarily assume he has made everything up. The 'facts' are delivered in a splurge of information, mainly by Jacobi at the start, and then we are left to pick out the bones of what is thrown on screen for the next two hours. 

The verdict...
Emmerich goes to every length imaginable in this contrived tale of revisionist history. However, as preposterous as the main story is, there is no denying that it's beautifully realised.

Rating: 2.5/5

'Anonymous' is released in the UK on 28 October. Certificate: 12A.