Karalis Līrs / Король Лир / King Lear

King Lear

United Kingdom, 2018, 115 min

Director: Richard Eyre

Writer: William Shakespeare

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Emily Watson, Jim Broadbent, Jim Carter, Tobias Menzies, Andrew Scott

Original Language: English
 

"Tis the time's plague when madmen lead the blind".
 

Britain is languishing under the grim and despotic rule of the capricious King Lear, who has seized power in a military dictatorship. The harsh monarch is still strong, but England is a tempting prize and greedy ''young wolves'' are closing in on its borders. War with France is imminent.
The time has come to hand over power to those who can save the country, whether by force, cunning or treachery.

However, Lear's insight and foresight in state affairs have given way to flattery and vanity. Blinded by stubbornness and pride, the powerful father makes a fateful decision. The discord within the royal family, which began with a simple misunderstanding, spirals into tragedy.
"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child."
Desperate and loyal, Lear is doomed to exile. Confronted with the intolerance and cruelty he himself has created, his attempt to restore justice in his family plunges the country into chaos and destruction.

Anthony Hopkins – one of the world’s great actors is its great Lear.
Mr. Hopkins transforms one of Shakespeare’s most complex tragic figures into a frightening, ego-driven autocrat hurtling into insanity from which he claws his way back, leaving a trail of blood and daughters in his wake.

Shouty, angry, cruel one moment; vulnerable, tender, loving the next – or at the same time.

Lear doesn’t just sparkle and shine with city lights and the spy stars, it hammers on the big bell of relevance as well. (The Bard should probably take some of the credit, too.)

A mesmerising performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y0NE9iHjas