Prospero's Books

Peter Greenaway. There's a literary/classic background in many of his films that doesn't really speak to me. At the same time, his work is so very different and bears such a strong audiovisual signature that it's difficult not to be amazed and intrigued by the results. That explains why I'm giving this love-or-hate film a middle-of-the-road rating.

Prospero's Books is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest. I'll be honest, it's hard to piece anything together while watching the film if you're not familiar with the story, so it's probably smart to read a short synopsis before submerging yourself in this film. It's not the kind that can be spoiled by reading the plot anyway.

The grand and imaginative sets and visuals are what sets this film apart, though it would be unfair to leave the epic soundtrack out of the equation. The story was too obtuse for me, but seen as an audiovisual/experimental film there was plenty to like and love. A fun little oddity, fans of Greenaway won't be disappointed.