IMDJashe Poon I didn't really have any expectations when I went into the cinema with my grade, but I can say that I really enjoyed the movie and I do not comprehend the low meta-score & user ratings.While the movie is based on pure assumptions, it is not fictional and might actually have happened. In my opinion (I don't know much about movies) there was a great balance between love/romance, drama (as in suspense and action), tragedy and comedy. It was funny, romantic, dramatic and sad at times. The atmosphere was great, the acting was good enough, well directed, suspense was there till the end because I didn't know how it would end, and I love how (POTENTIAL SPOILER) there is a theatre in a movie in a threatre in a movie :D. However, it was pretty confusing with all the different timelines and relationships between the characters (who also happen to have similar names), so it's probably beneficial to already know a bit about the theories before watching the movie.So yeah, I do really recommend this movie, it's new, well done, more or less safe to watch with the family, entertaining and teaches a thing or two about the Elizabethan era, albeit it is not based on a true story.

Python Hyena Anonymous (2011): Dir: Roland Emmerich / Cast: Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, David Thewlis, Sebastian Armesto: The first big issue with this film is its claim that William Shakespeare isn't who he has always represented to us through history. Apparently Roland Emmerich's film claims that he was a stage actor who performed plays written by someone else. Impressive directing choice for Emmerich whose films often included the loud and pointless crap such as Independence Day and Godzilla. Here he intrigues us with his arguments, or downright ticks off the scholars who spat upon his film's argument. The performances are top notch despite one's questions regarding their actual historical selves. Rhys Ifans plays Earl of Oxford who is the anonymous and whose words are never associated with him because someone else is given the task. Elizabeth the I is played by Joely Richardson in her young age where she entraps the young playwright and their affair leads to a son and a secret scandal. William Shakespeare himself is portrayed as uneducated and hopeless idiot who cannot write but only express. This could be problematic to some viewers. The art direction is a high point particularly during the appearance of a newly built theatre. Ifans is given a great privilege as a gifted individual unable to take credit or ownership for the writings. Redgrave gives off a near sexual longing for the very words being expressed while Richardson is more the black widow feeling. Sebastian Armesto plays a fellow poet and playwright. The result is a curious and well produced deception. Score: 7 / 10

joyfuljaymac I traded my 'Cloud Atlas' for this film from my Nana...But she came through with this one.'Anonymous'is set back around the time of Shakespeare, the famous play write..Or was he? According to this film... he was illiterate! Well, he could read but writing? According to this, a man named Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, was one who wrote the great plays. Edward played by Rhys Ifans, who i normally don't find interesting or like, gave a capturing performance as Edward. He was able to give the presents, the power and the authority needed to play this role. As well as Jamie Campbell Bower who plays his younger self, who managed to capture the seductive and charming side of Edward.Vanessa Redgrave plays Elizabeth the first, who performance was different from others I've seen. She shows the queen's...Fun side, if i may put it like that. As well as being authoritative when needed to be. Joely Richardson who plays the younger Elizabeth, and who is Vanessa'a real life daughter, managed to do the same. She shows her beauty, her devilish side and maybe a bit rebellious nature. As the film goes on, there are a lot of plot twists that i never seen coming. This film capture the beauty, the dark side and the passion of the Shakespearean era and if you've ever done of Shakespeare's alleged plays, many are mentioned and will have you reciting along.

Taylor Moten I have seen this movie a dozen times and own it on DVD, and I still watch every moment in awe. Although the movie contains much speculation about many things, it is well designed, executed and the actors as well as the production should have mopped the Oscars the year that it was released. There are deep moments, joyful moments, humor etc etc...and you reach the end and only wish to watch it again. If you are looking for the usual story of Shakespeare, this movie is not for you. If you are looking to expand your concept of what could have been, have your perception of Shakespeare jarred with a deeper and more intricate account with historical truth, and are willing to watch this movie with an open mind, then you will agree that Anonymous is pure excellence, and it gives me hope as a movie viewer that talent lives.