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The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 13.2297  Tuesday, 19 November 2002

From:           Sam Small <samsmall@globalnet.co.uk>
Date:           Saturday, 16 Nov 2002 17:12:35 -0000
Subject: 13.2280 Re: "Speaking Shakespeare"
Comment:        Re: SHK 13.2280 Re: "Speaking Shakespeare"

Brian Willis says:

Seeing as how Sam Mendes is now accomplished on both stage and screen, I
wonder if he has been tempted or will be tempted to film Shakespeare. A
thought. I suppose that one day, he will attempt it.

I hope not.  "American Beauty" was one of the worst films I ever saw.
Full of overstuffed stereotypes - weird teenage son - wooden-headed army
father - acerbic teenage daughter direct from the script of "Married
with Kids" - slutty school vamp - and on and on.  When poor writers
choose the occupation of an unsympathetic character it is almost always
an Estate Agent! (Real Estate Brokers in the US)  Mendes was also
harping on that threadbare string, so often plucked by English middle
class chatterers, that suburbia is the Devil's own community of sin.  A
1960's preoccupation, I remember. Mendes has no real understanding of
individuals - everything is translated and interpreted in terms of
mythical groups that the left always hate or adore.  Please Sam, leave
Shakespeare alone.

(And yes, I do get the irony)

SAM SMALL
http://www.passioninpieces.co.uk

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