Movie Review - The Tempest

In preparation for seeing Hartford Stage's production of The Tempest, we rented the 2010 film version, starring Helen Mirren as Prospera - a female in place of the traditional Prospero.  I have seen other plays where they change one of the character's gender, or the setting, and it has felt forced.  The change was made to make a statement, and that's what it felt like - someone forcing their vision on you.

But in this particular instance, it worked.  I don't think having a female lead was meant to be a "statement", rather it came about more naturally.  According to the "Extras" feature on the DVD, the director, Julie Taymor, ran into Helen Mirren one day and in the course of their conversation, discussed that Prospero could easily be played by a woman.

The special effects were, of course, much more elaborate than can be done in a play.  They lent a more "artsy-fartsy", independent film feel to it, which the girls called weird.  But overall, we all enjoyed and would recommend it.