Anonymous

This motion picture is very fresh. Its alternative approach to the William Shakespeare's character and the fuss going around it was skillfully presented. This film is for matured and receptive minds with a critical thought that can weigh all of the possibilities. London just seems realistic and true The characters are enthrilling and very skillful Good writing, great photography with genius dialogue. Great film and most definitely entertaining! Worth the watch Could recommend it to anyone Good history lesson too

Ignoring the accuracy the details presented and just by savouring its entertainment value, this is a surprisingly fascinating story of conspiracies, controversies and tragedies surrounding an anonymous person who is the focus of this alternative story towards Shakespeare's origins. Although, some of the progressive events were a little over-dramatic and unrealistic but it is a period drama after all. But even so, I do not find any single dull moment in the movie and some of the important scenes contributed to the fact that Anonymous is probably one of the most touching period drama movies (albeit fictional) that I have ever encountered in recent years.

I have to start by saying that I enjoy historical fiction so it will be no surprise that I was drawn to this movie right away. Rhys Ifans was unrecognizable from his previous roles and I have to say he really showed his acting chops. Redgrave was her regal self and the supporting cast was surprising good. This movie is well done as far a dialog and the sense of being in England during that time. The story is a bit convoluted but it pays off with a great ending. I am surprised that this movie did not get better rating from the public. Maybe they didn't like its darkness, but I think that is part of what makes it so good. Maybe on second viewing people will appreciate it more.

It's sad that this film is not getting all the credit it deserves because of the controversy of its message. I watched Anonymous with a completely open mind and a desire to be entertained, and I was not let down in the least. The acting was superb--Rhys Ifans was absolutely stunning as Edward De Vere, capturing so well his passion and pain as the real author (according to the story) of Shakespeare's works. I thought Sebastian Armesto did a fabulous job as well as the tortured Ben Jonson who must keep quiet about De Vere's identity. Movies should not be rated by whether or not a person agrees with the message the filmmakers were trying to communicate--they should be rated on the acting, the script, the cinematography, and the overall quality of the film. Anonymous excels in all areas. It is a fascinating and intricate story, beautifully told. If you like to watch movies of really great stories, then you will love this film. It's definitely one that will be added to my movie collection.

I have been involved with the argument of whether Shakespeare wrote his own work or not many times. I personally believe that Shakespeare wrote the body of work attributed to him. I went into this movie expecting it to be interesting and at the very least entertaining. What I found is that the story can be muddled and hard to follow. There are a lot of aspects of the truth found in the movie, but unless you are familiar with both sides of the argument you may not spot them. Also, there are many historical errors in the film that distract from the argument against Shakespeare. I did not enjoy watching this film, and couldn't wait for it to be over. I almost felt the the producers of this movie were using the argument against Shakespeare to attract viewers to the film, but that the film was about something else entirely.

the story is far to be original. the details are not always the most inspired. but the film remains seductive at whole. as a fascinating puzzle. as a nice hypothesis. as a game of characters, events and facts. as the old if's play. the dark atmosphere. the right cast. Joely Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave as strange sides of Elisabeth. a profound different Shakespeare. the drops of historical facts. the fake answers to dilemmas who seems be credible. the smell of that London, the darkness inside and outside, the mysteries and the end. a film not good or remarkable. but seductive in profound sense. because it presents not exactly a story but parts of the universal story about love, sacrifice, honor, passion and duty. and it does a good job. so, Anonymous. and the trip in a not ordinary period.

Other reviewers need to realize that speculative fiction is an actual genre: taking factual pieces and putting them together to make a different fictional picture. Don't judge it or be distracted by the history but enjoy the FICTIONAL story and acting and writing. Although some of the writing was overwhelming sappy in one or two places, it's a good film.

This is NOT the usual "the historical Shakespeare did not write the plays and poetry" claptrap. It is an imaginative, playful, experimental re-imagining of history such as Shakespeare himself might have done. The concept and writing alone are equal to Tom Stoppard's excellent "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead." Given the terrific cast and performances, the sets and costumes, the feel of this film makes it likely that all but the most hard-nosed film AND Shakespeare buffs will gleefully allow the suspension of their disbelief. I know I did, and I'm as hard-nosed as they come. See it more than once if the temporal displacements (genuinely well-used) confuse you. The writer (Orloff) has hit all the marks deliciously (Elizabeth as a *!), and the production values are all top-notch. 10/10

The crux of the play comes from Sir Derek Jacobi's fascinating monologue at the beginning of the film, in which he points out glaring inconsistencies in the story of William Shakespeare. But if Shakespeare did not write his time-enduring plays, then who did? "Anonymous" poses the question and offers an answer. The only word I can really describe this film with is "hypnotic". The costumes are beautiful, all Elizabethan and all beautiful. The acting is wonderful, everyone in the cast fits like a glove into the centuries-old mystery. And the script grabs you and never lets you go. There is not much more to say. Watch this film as if your life may depend on it. A stunning, visceral, and suspenseful film with an unforgettable story.