Richard III
Director: Richard Loncraine
Year Released: 1995
Rating: 3.0
Intriguing transportation of Shakespeare's play to the 1930's, with merciless Richard of Gloucester (Ian McKellen) killing and manipulating on his way to the throne. Once the novelty of the set-up dissipates (it does, admittedly, feature some splendid sets and sleek proto-Fascist costumes), the sole reason to continue watching is McKellen himself, who makes up for some miscasting (Annette Bening and Robert Downey, Jr. are both out of place) with a bona-fide tour-de-force performance. His delivery of the famous "I am determined to prove a villain / And hate the idle pleasures of these days" monologue inside a men's bathroom is inspired and unforgettable.
