Othello (1995)

I enjoyed director Oliver Parker's 1995 film version of Shakespeare's Othello.  

Othello the hero of Venice

Reviewing  the film for The New York Times on December  14, 1995, Janet Maslin said  this  about the performance of Laurence Fishburn in the title role:  "If there's a hint of Ike Turner (whom he played brillantly in 'What's Love Got To Do With It?') to this Othello's jealous fury, that seems to be very much what  Mr. Parker had in mind.  It's a long  way from Welles or Olivier (the two giants among cinematic Othellos), but this  performance  still has pathos and  power."

Othello and Desdemona in love.

The film, like the play its based on, is very intense, and since we know that the evil Iago is going to stir up  the jealous Othello into a homicidal rage against his innocent wife, it's kind of like watching a train wreck.  It would have been fun if Fishburne had played Othello as Ike Turner:  "Ida Mae, I better not find out you gave that damn handkerchief to Cassio or somebody may get a cap busted in the ass!"

Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne as Ike and Tina

The most famous wife beater of all time: Ike Turner.

Trained Shakespearean Kenneth Branagh delivers a flawless performance as the evil Iago.  Irene Jacob is believable as the loving and devoted Desdemona who is wrongfully accused of adultery by her jealous husband.

Iago plants the seeds of jealousy in Othello's mind.

The movie has been criticized for deleting too much of the play and for rearranging scenes and adding love scenes which involve nudity.  I think that this is merely taking advantage of the medium of film.  Shakespeare wasn't prudish by any means.  If it had been available and could get approval by the Master of the Revels, and if all the female roles hadn't been played by boys, Shakespeare might have had a nude sex scene.  Like the man said, "The play's the thing!"  (Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2).  Five out of Five.