British poet T.S. Eliot composed poems that were composed of poems that were eventually published as “four quartets” over a period of six years, marking the end of his literary career. The four epic epics, totaling over 1,000 lines, are dedicated to time and divinity. Performing them on one stage is an exercise in memory and sheer will. He performed Eliot’s “Four Quartet” in his solo work. His sister Sophie Fiennes filmed the production adaptation after the actors’ live performances were finished.
Her filmed version uses the original theater stage with its towering walls and minimal set decoration. It’s a shot that conjures up views of Eliot’s England, mossy stone worlds, fields of pastured cows. However, there is no visible audience and no signs of human presence other than Ralph Fiennes himself.
As an actor, Fiennes contorts, stamps, and dances—he provides animations of Eliot’s language, a powerful performance that treats the accumulation of poetry to poetry like energetically and mathematically lifting the walls of a cathedral. provide. He speaks slowly, giving the viewer time to understand Elliott’s words. But despite all the actor’s efforts, the films around him do not match his richness.
The cameras are far away, the editing is mediocre, and they deny the opportunity to add a cinematic interpretation to complement Fiennes’ central performance. It’s reminiscent of the view from a live theater, limited by certain seat angles.
quartet
Unrated. Running time: 1 hour 22 minutes. at the theater.
