Looking for Richard

Looking for Richard

By Al Pacino

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2007-06-19
  • Advisory Rating: PG-13
  • Runtime: 1h 52min
  • Director: Al Pacino
  • Production Company: Chal Productions
  • Production Country: United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 12.99
6.8/10
6.8
From 138 Ratings
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Description

This is a fascinating documentary-style film about Academy Award-winning actor Al Pacino's staging of Richard; and his simultaneous exploration of the relevance of Shakespeare to people in every walk of life. Every scene of the play is dissected by actors and scholars prior to us seeing it performed, thus bringing the play brilliantly to life. Pacino's directorial debut takes the audience on a fascinating journey through the actor's process, preparing the audience for classical drama in its highest form. Richard schemes murderously for the throne at the expense of his brother Clarence (Alec Baldwin), his wife Lady Anne (Winona Ryder), his sidekick Buckingham (Kevin Spacey), and just about everyone else who crosses his path. The film also stars Aidan Quinn as Richmond, and includes interviews with F. Murray Abraham, Gil Bellows, Kenneth Branagh, Kevin Kline, James Earl Jones, John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave, among dozens of others. The film won numerous awards, including the 1997 Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Documentary.

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Reviews

  • A Timeless Classic

    5
    By Wu-Lumba
    The deconstruction and analysis of individual scenes from the director and actor perspective make this a timeless classic accessible to the everyday person.

  • I Was In It!

    5
    By Bulldogscm
    This was such a great film. It was enjoyable, it was funny and it was serious. Richard III is one of my favorite plays from Shakespear. What was so important in this film was "coveying a sense of Richard." The diverse array of actors was so rewarding to see and you actually feel imbedded into the film and the relationship that we have with the characters. What I loved the most was Pacino's love of studying the living theatre. It was great to see Americans portray these legendary roles, even in a documentary setting. I highly believe this should be watched by Theatre students and high school students.

  • Searching for Shakespeare

    5
    By Nzie
    Many modern readers and audiences are somewhat intimidated by Shakespeare, or have filed his work away as something "academic," or, even worse, "boring," from their high school English classes. But, as Looking for Richard shows, this is simply not the case. Comprised of performances, rehearsals, discussions, interviews with actors, historians, and, perhaps most interestingly, regular people on the street, this film is a masterful examination not only of the play, Richard III, itself, but of what it is to perform, and how we interact with it 400 years after its writing. There isn't a person I wouldn't recommend it to, and I think it should be required viewing for teens studying Shakespeare.

  • Perfect.

    5
    By janjamm
    No fairer film has yet been sweetly laid at feet so undeserving of its mad beauty. How might we ere thank dear Al of Pacino, a complex heart, a mind of glistening? Such thorny truth you do raise and toss to us, a gift, both weight and candle. I wish more of this.

  • Remarkable and unique

    5
    By SmittyCat
    It's not Pacino, it's not Shakespeare - It's not like anything you've ever seen before. Stay with it and you'll find yourself getting drawn into the actors, the characters and the play itself (Richard lll) which takes place everywhere from the Cloisters museum to the basketball courts - in costume and in street clothes. One of my favorites. Seen it many times. Enjoy.

  • wow

    5
    By Boolez
    Pacino and Shakespeare sounds like either a joke or something that would make you run out the door. I confess that this a refreshing take on one of the bard's most convoluted plays. The semi docu drama style and interviews work suprisingly well and wins you over in time. It's one of Pacino's better endevors in a very long time and I'm startled that it got so little attention when it first came out. If I could give it six stars I would.

  • Interesting Concept.

    4
    By The Turkey is Coming Ny
    This is the first movie of its kind I have seen and I really thought it was very interesting. The idea was executed perfectly and the cast was amazing. Overall its a very good movie however it's not Al's best, but this is still a movie you should at least rent. P.S. first review

Movies by Al Pacino

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