Edward II

Director(s): Derek Jarman
Writer(s): Ken Butler, Derek Jarman, Stephen McBride
Producer(s): Steve Clark-Hall, Antony Root
Starring: Steve Waddington, Andrew Tiernan, Tilda Swinton

Based on the 16th-Century stageplay about the scandal and death surrounding one of England's infamous monarchs, Derek Jarman's film paints a dark picture of the politics and corruption throughout royal history. King Edward II, England's most notable gay king, summons for his lover Gaveston to reside with him now that his father has died. As Gaveston makes an impression on King Edward and the royal castle, Queen Isabella, Edward's wife, plots their separation by murder and death. Set as a modern day interpretation in set design and attire to Shakespearean dialogue, this film is reminiscent of the likes of "Caligula" and "Sebastiane".

While the film loses its luster halfway through, it provides for moderate entertainment value through out its complete duration. What we find here is a very artist representation of a true life story masked by politics and royal cover-up. While historically Edward II was gay, his predilections for the male company was something that was never fully explored by scholars. Jarman's imagination uproots the few simple facts and forms them into a soap opera-esque stage play parallel to the work for the The Great Bard himself.

What is great to see is the notable effort the actors make at paying homage to the stageplay version of this story while completely following the artist and individualistic direction of Jarman. While most classically trained actors would shy away wearing cocktail dresses while playing a historical queen, actors like Tilda Swinton, embrace the challenge of juxtaposing two contrasting art forms to form a unique vision. If translated to an American director, the works of Jim Jarmusch would come to mind. . . well at least in "Dead Man".