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Looking for Richard (1989)
directed by and starring Al Pacino
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© 1997 Debra Murphy

In his directing debut, Al Pacino has given us one of the most accessible Shakespeare adaptations ever for the screen. Smart, witty, and energetic, Looking for Richard is a delight to watch, offering insight into Shakespeare, and giving the viewer a behind-the-scenes look at how a production of the play might be mounted.

Pacino intercuts between his "film" of Shakespeare’s Richard III, and the documentary on the making of. The real movie is fabulous: Pacino plays Richard as an intellectual with a conscience, the effect being all the scarier. Winona Ryder seems out of her element as Lady Anne, but Kevin Spacey turns in a stunning performance as Bickingham: smart, quiet, and cunning.

The documentary is equally marvelous. We see actors struggling with Shakespeare’s language, we see Pacino wrestling with the story and interpretation, but above all, we see an ensemble of artists passionate about Shakespeare and determined to create an accessible performance of a classic play.

And do they succeed. This movie should be shown in schools around the world as a turn on to Shakespeare. Informative, entertaining, and devoid of all pretention, Looking for Richard is the best movie of the year.