“Twelfth Night 1996” is a comedic masterpiece. A shipwrecked woman disguises herself as a man to navigate the high tides of love and mischief. The cast is a constellation of talent, led by the dazzling Imogen Stubbs and the magnetic Helena Bonham Carter. The costumes are as vibrant and playful as confetti, and the music sweeps you off your feet like a waltz. The story unfolds like a rosebud, revealing layer upon layer of humor and heart. In its purest form, “Twelfth Night 1996” is a celebration of life, love, and laughter.
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Review
The Power of Persuasion in “Twelfth Night”
As the famous psychologist Robert Cialdini has documented, there are six basic principles of influence that shape our behavior and decisions: reciprocity, consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. These principles operate not only in business and politics, but also in art and entertainment. One example is the enduring popularity of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Twelfth Night,” which showcases many of these principles in action.
The storyline of “Twelfth Night” revolves around the themes of love, disguise, gender roles, and identity confusion. The plot features a shipwrecked woman named Viola who dresses up as a man named Cesario to serve the Duke Orsino, who pines for the Countess Olivia. However, Viola falls in love with Orsino while Olivia falls in love with Cesario. Meanwhile, other characters such as Sir Toby Belch, Maria, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek engage in comic mischief that adds to the complexity and humor of the play.
One news item related to “Twelfth Night” is that it is often performed during the holiday season around December 25th as part of the Twelfth Night festivities that used to mark the end of winter solstice celebrations. In fact, some scholars believe that Shakespeare wrote this play specifically for such occasions. The play also includes references to various customs and beliefs associated with Twelfth Night such as wassailing (drinking to health), mumming (masking as other characters), and fooling (performing foolish acts).
One notable fact about “Twelfth Night” is that it was written at a time when women were not allowed to act on stage due to religious and moral objections. Therefore, all female roles were played by young boys or men who had to wear dresses and wigs to simulate femininity. This adds another layer of disguise and irony to the play, as Viola/Cesario is both a woman pretending to be a man and an actor pretending to be a woman pretending to be a man.
The casts of various film adaptations of “Twelfth Night” have included many famous actors and actresses, such as Helena Bonham Carter, Imogen Stubbs, Ben Kingsley, Richard E. Grant, Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Emma Thompson, and Mark Rylance. Their performances reflect different interpretations and styles of acting that range from traditional Shakespearean language and gestures to modern retellings that update the setting or tone of the play. One quote from Viola’s speech captures the essence of her character and the play’s message: “I am not what I am.”
The acting and characters in “Twelfth Night” have inspired many critical evaluations and analyses over the years. Some view Viola/Cesario as a feminist hero who challenges social norms and expectations regarding gender identity and expression. Others see Olivia as a powerful woman who asserts her independence and desires despite the pressure from male suitors. Still others interpret Sir Andrew as a representation of satire on courtly manners or as an example of how humor can reveal human weaknesses.
The history of “Twelfth Night” includes many adaptations for stage, screen, TV, radio, opera, ballet, musicals, comics, video games, etc. The popularity of this play has endured partly because it appeals to multiple audiences with its mix of drama and comedy; its exploration of universal themes such as love, power, deception; its memorable characters; its poetic language; its playful music; its rich imagery; and its capacity for reinvention by different artists in different contexts.
The filming of “Twelfth Night” has also involved various cinematography techniques that capture different moods or perspectives. For example, some scenes may use close-ups to emphasize facial expressions or emotions; others may use long shots to show the scale or beauty of the location. Some adaptations may use special effects or animation to enhance certain scenes or to create a magical atmosphere. The choice of lighting, costumes, props, makeup, and set design can also contribute to the visual impact and coherence of the production.
The evaluation of “Twelfth Night” has generated some controversy and criticism as well. Some argue that the play reinforces patriarchal norms by depicting women as objects of desire rather than agents of change. Others claim that it perpetuates stereotypes about sexuality, class, race, and disability that are harmful or outdated. Still others argue that the play is too complex or confusing for modern audiences who may struggle with its language, plot twists, or moral ambiguity.
The soundtracks of various “Twelfth Night” adaptations have featured diverse genres such as classical music, folk songs, pop hits, jazz tunes, rap lyrics, and original compositions. The music serves not only as a source of entertainment but also as a way to convey emotions or meanings that cannot be expressed through words alone. For example, the song “What You Will” by Rufus Wainwright adds a haunting and romantic tone to the ending scene where all conflicts are resolved but at a cost.
The analysis of “Twelfth Night” can reveal how it employs persuasion principles that elicit certain reactions from audiences. For example:
– Reciprocity: Viola/Cesario’s loyalty and honesty toward Orsino make him trust her more than his other servants.
– Consistency: The repetition of love language and imagery throughout the play reinforces the idea that love is a powerful force that can overcome obstacles.
– Social proof: The reactions of other characters to Viola/Cesario’s appearance suggest that gender is not fixed but fluid in their society.
– Authority: The Duke Orsino’s status as a ruler gives him some power over other characters but also makes him vulnerable to criticism or rejection.
– Liking: The humor and wit of characters like Sir Toby or Feste make them endearing and memorable even if they do not advance the plot directly.
– Scarcity: The limited time frame of the Twelfth Night holiday creates a sense of urgency and risk that intensifies the romantic adventures of the characters.
The special effects in “Twelfth Night” may involve literal or metaphorical transformations that signify changes in identity, status, or emotional state. For example, Viola/Cesario’s unmasking scene shows her shedding layers of disguise and revealing her true self. The use of mirrors, shadows, or reflections can also evoke a sense of duality or self-awareness that relates to the play’s themes. The development of technology has allowed for more sophisticated and realistic effects in recent adaptations compared to earlier ones.
The dialogue in “Twelfth Night” is another aspect that showcases Shakespeare’s mastery of language and literary devices such as puns, allusions, metaphors, similes, soliloquies, rhymes, and meter. The use of verse or prose can also convey different tones or emotions depending on the character or situation. For example, Olivia’s mourning for her dead brother is expressed mostly in poetic language while Sir Andrew’s boasts are mostly in comic prose. Some lines from Jester Feste reflects his quick-wittedness: “Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.”
The crews involved in “Twelfth Night” may include directors, producers, writers, choreographers, designers, editors, technicians, musicians, artists. Each member contributes to the overall vision and quality of the production. Collaboration and communication are essential skills that ensure smooth operations and creative results.
The criticism leveled against “Twelfth Night” may not detract from its enduring appeal but rather enhance its relevance as a work that invites multiple interpretations and debates. Art is not meant to please everyone or to conform to one ideology or perspective. It is meant to challenge and inspire us, to make us think and feel more deeply about ourselves and others. As Viola says at the end of the play: “O time, thou must untangle this, not I. It is too hard a knot for me to untie!”
Technical Data
- Runtime : 134
- Release : 1996-10-31
- Genre : Drama, Comedy, Romance
- Cast : Helena Bonham Carter as Olivia, Richard E. Grant as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Nigel Hawthorne as Malvolio, Ben Kingsley as Feste, Mel Smith as Sir Toby Belch
- Crew : Mark Cooper as Line Producer, Christine Beveridge as Hair Designer, Christine Beveridge as Key Makeup Artist, William Shakespeare as Theatre Play, Peter Boyle as Editor
- Popularity 9.086
- Budget : $5,000,000
- Revenue : $33,000,000
- Company : Fine Line Features, BBC Film, Summit Entertainment
- Summary : Shakespeare’s comedy of gender confusion, in which a girl disguises herself as a man to be near the count she adores, only to be pursued by the woman he loves.
- Tagline : Never send a boy to do a man’s job, especially if he’s a girl.
