Coriolanus (2011)

Set in an unknown Balkan state called Rome, its citizens are outraged as civil liberties are restricted and there is a lack of food and they blame this on the city's General (Ralph Fiennes), who is off fighting a war against a neighboring tribe. But the General has a contempt for Rome's citizens and is not swayed by their grievances. Based on the play by William Shakespeare and directed by Ralph Fiennes in his film directorial debut. CORIOLANUS is one of Shakespeare's lesser known plays and truth to tell, it's not one of his best tragedies (hey, it's still Shakespeare!) but boy has Fiennes done a dynamic job of bringing it to the screen. With a superb visual sense and pacing, this modern updating of Shakespeare's 1605-1608 play works like a dream. The actors speak their lines with a natural resonance instead of a lofty delivery. Indeed if one didn't know it was Shakespeare, you'd just think it was good writing. With Vanessa Redgrave (excellent as Fiennes' mother), Jessica Chastain, Gerard Butler, Brian Cox and John Kani.