![]() Yet when Othello is overcome by jealousy, he does become beast-like, falling into epileptic fits that rob him of the ability to speak intelligibly. While the prejudiced characters in the play denigrate Othello as an animal or a beast based on his race, Othello's obvious honor and intelligence makes these attacks obviously ridiculous. But Iago instead provides the circumstantial evidence of the handkerchief, which Othello, consumed by his jealousy, accepts as a substitute for "ocular proof." Othello's jealousy impedes his ability to distinguish between reality and appearance. For instance, at one point Othello demands that Iago provide "ocular proof" of Desdemona's infidelity-he demands to see reality. ![]() Anna Patrick is particularly transfixing in the role of Emilia, Iago's wife and Desdemona's servant, who scathingly articulates some of the play's feminist undercurrents." Īs of May 2022, the film holds a rating of 68% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 40 reviews with the consensus: "Perhaps less than the sum of its parts, Othello is still highly entertaining and features excellent performances from Laurence Fishburne and Kenneth Branagh.Iago refers to jealousy as the "green-eyed monster." As this metaphor suggests, jealousy is closely associated with the theme of appearance and reality. ![]() Fishburne's performance has a dangerous edge that ultimately works to its advantage, and he smolders movingly through the most anguished parts of the role. Branagh's superb performance, as the man whose Machiavellian scheming guides the story of Othello's downfall, guarantees this film an immediacy that any audience will understand. Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote: "Mr. Branagh was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance. The film received largely positive reviews, especially for Branagh's Iago. Othello then kills himself, and Iago is taken away to be tortured and executed. In despair, Othello stabs and wounds Iago. The authorities and Othello turn on Iago, and, after a running fight, capture him. When Iago is confronted, Emilia tells Othello the truth behind Iago's lies and he realizes what he has done. Othello smothers Desdemona, who dies just as Emilia enters the bedroom, but Cassio is only wounded by Iago's stooge, Roderigo. When Othello finds out about the handkerchief, he is convinced of Desdemona's infidelity and, in a rage, decides to kill her and have Cassio assassinated by Iago. He arouses Othello's suspicion and jealousy gradually and then plants Desdemona's handkerchief in Cassio's room. Iago, Othello's trusted companion and ensign, envies Othello's prosperous life and Cassio's lieutenancy and, suspicious that Othello has slept with his own wife, Emilia, plans to ruin both, first by getting Cassio fired and replacing him, and then by manipulating Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. When Othello finally arrives at Cyprus, however, the Turkish invasion fleet has been wrecked by a storm, and, reunited with Desdemona, who has volunteered herself to go with him, leads his men and the people of Cyprus in a celebration. During the battle, he was accompanied by his faithful lieutenant, Cassio. Othello, a Moor who has married a young Venetian gentlewoman, Desdemona, is assigned to fight against a Turkish invasion attempt on the island of Cyprus. This is the first cinematic reproduction of the play released by a major studio that casts an African American actor to play the role of Othello, although low-budget independent films of the play starring Ted Lange and Yaphet Kotto predated it. It was directed by Oliver Parker and stars Laurence Fishburne as Othello, Irène Jacob as Desdemona, and Kenneth Branagh as Iago. Othello is a 1995 drama film based on William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name. ![]()
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