Damn this is intense...more sweat, dirt, blood and testosterone per second than any movie I have seen for a while. Ralph Fienne's terrific directorial debut tells the more or less true story of a turncoat 5th century BC Roman general, from the history of Livy and Plutarch, through the language of Shakespeare, but in a contemporary setting. Coriolanus returns victorious to Roma wants to be Tribune (an elected position) but detests the common folk that would elect him (like crows snapping at eagles, Shakespeare said) as he also detests the interference of other high ranking politicians, who would use him, so he betrays all and takes his martial skills over to the enemy.
I'm always somewhat leery about people recasting Shakespeare into other times (Hamlet in Hollywood, etc), but this works really well. I suspect that Fiennes lives in awe of The Bard. If you have not read about this you will begin to suspect that it was filmed in the former Yugoslavia (Serbia to be specific), where the sort of intractable wars the Romans fought are still recent history. Murder, passion, scheming and betrayal are the stuff of everyday life in this Rome. There's no Emperor with great legions yet, and the Republic hangs by a thread.
This is not an easy movie. Being done in Shakespeare's language, it needs attention and unless you are experienced, you will probably still miss at least a third of the dialog. There is no comic relief. I did notice, however, that as the climax approached, NOBODY was getting more popcorn, shifting in their seats, texting or anything else. The rest of the audience, along with me, was completely absorbed. The cast is absolutely on target; Fiennes (as Coriolanus), Brian Cox, Venessa Redgrave, Gerard Butler and Jessica Chastain are all excellent and really throw themselves into the drama. If you're in the mood for something really deep and intense, this is highly recommended...if not, step over to the next theater and see John Carter.
