The Taming of the Shrew

Author(s): Ali
Location: N/A

“The Taming of the Shrew”

Directed by: Tim Burton
Adapted by: Emma Thompson (based on a play by William Shakespeare)
Produced by: Kenneth Branagh
Original Score: John Debney
Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki
Art Direction: Stuart Craig
Costumes: Colleen Atwood

Principal Cast:

Helena Bonham Carter – Katharina
Gary Oldman – Pertruchio
Ian McKellen – Baptista
Keira Knightly – Bianca
Ewan McGregor– Hortensio
Jude Law – Lucientio
David Thewlis – Vincentio
Stuart Townsend – Gremio
Jason Issacs - Petruchio's Butler
Fiona Shaw – Widow
and Ian Holm as the Priest

Tagline: "The Taming has just begun..."

Synopsis: Based on one of William Shakespeare's early comedies," Taming of the shrew" is a lighthearted comedy that includes clowning humor, disguises and deception. The plot centers around a rich gentleman from Padua, Baptista (played by Ian McKellen) ,who has two fair daughters ; the eldest, Katharina (portrayed vigorously by Helena Bonham Carter) is so very cross, ill tempered and unmannerly that no one would ever dream of marrying her ,while her sister ,Bianca (played by the young Keira Knightly ) is so sweet ,pretty and pleasant that more than one suitor asks for her hand. But Bianca can't get married until Kate does .Then comes a gentleman from Verona, who to the surprise of everyone, asks for Kate's hand in marriage and claims that she is the ideal wife for him. Petruchio is determined to tame and win the disagreeable Katherine and he begins to court her in his own way. But the taming has just begun.

What the press would say:

This period piece that boasts a quite eclectic cast and crew have proven to the audiences that is one of the few true and smart adaptations of Shakespearean Literature. Tim Burton seems to have nailed and that rarely happens with a Shakespearean material. Two thumbs up to the wonderful script by the talented Emma Thompson who had previously adapted Sense and Sensibility into an amazing and heartfelt script. Not to forget to mention the extremely wonderful duo of Oldman and Bonham-Carter who play Petruchio and Katharina with rigor in an attempt that gives their characters a three dimensional outdoor flavor to the adaptation. Ian Mckellen and Keira Knightly on the other hand give quite stellar performances in their supporting roles. This ensemble piece also boasts some of Britain's fine and amazing talents such as Jude Law, Ewan McGregor, David Thewlis, Jason Issacs and Fiona Shaw.

Expected Academy Award nominations:

Best Picture (Kenneth Branagh)
Best Director (Tim Burton)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Emma Thompson)
Best Actor (Gary Oldman)
Best Actress (Helena Bonham-Carter)
Best Supporting Actor (Ian McKellen)
Best Supporting Actress (Keira Knightly)
Best Original Score (John Debney)
Best Cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki)
Best Art Direction (Stuart Craig)
Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood)