Taymor’s Tempest

Shakespeare’s answer to the age old hypothetical question, “What would you do if you were stuck on a desert island?’” is his last play, The Tempest.  And thanks to Julie Taymor it is also in its third film reincarnation.  Stage director Taymor cut her teeth on film with another Shakespearian tale, Titus, which was lacking in certain aspects save Art Direction, which I believe to be Taymor’s forte.  This time around we are blessed with my favorite actor, Chris Cooper and rising screen genius, Ben Whishaw along with what looks like an extraordinary ensemble cast. If that isn’t enough good news for you, here is more–Prospero will be played by Helen Mirren as Prospera.  Let’s see how Shakespeare weathers the tempest of third wave feminist postmodernism.