As the most exciting and highest-profile role of the year, Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of the ill-fated author and poet Robert Browning in the upcoming film adaptation of The Selected Works of Robert Browning will no doubt prove to be a talking point and attract plenty of attention for a film that is already several months into its production.
Why Is This Film Important?
Well, for one thing, it’s important because it’s yet another showcase for Robert Pattinson’s extraordinary acting talent. And though it is based on a true story, it is not without its dramatic elements and twists that will surprise even the most hardened of Browning fans.
Who Is Robert Pattinson?
For those of you who may not be familiar, Robert Pattinson is one of the most popular and versatile actors of our time. He’s had some great successes both in front of the camera and behind it. Most notably, he played Robin Hood in the Sherlock Holmes episode “The Adventure of the Cardboard Box” in 2015, for which he received a BAFTA nomination. That same year, he also starred in The Librarian (which he also wrote and directed) and The Lost Honor of Katharine Hepburn.
What Are The Selected Works Of Robert Browning?
The Selected Works of Robert Browning is considered by many to be the bible of Victorian poetry. It contains 38 of Browning’s best-loved and most-anthologized poems, along with some lesser-known but no less beautiful offerings. This abridged edition was first published in 1884 and was written and edited by none other than William Butler Yeats. It is divided into four loosely-related sections: Scenes, Songs, Sonnets, and Narrative Poems. It was originally published in six volumes back in the day, but only these four sections have been retained for posterity. The poems in this collection range from humorous to heart-breaking, but are all expertly crafted and display an amazing command of language.
What Makes This Film Stand Out From The Crowd?
Aside from being an exceptionally talented actor, Pattinson is also an absolute scribe. He has taken the wheel not only behind the camera but also in front of it. And as this is undoubtedly going to be a big talking point, his directorial debut, The Librarian, will also be touted as a standout debut for audiences and critics alike.
How Is This Film Going To Be Different From Everything You’ve Seen In The Past?
The selection of The Selected Works Of Robert Browning for the upcoming film adaptation is a masterstroke. The film will mark the first time that these four sections have been seen on the big screen. And though the film is based on a true story, it still manages to feel like an event film. Some of the most memorable films in recent memory were based on real-life incidents and stories. From The King to The Social Network, filmmakers have always gone out of their way to tell unique and memorable stories.
What Should You Know Going Into This Movie?
If you’re unfamiliar, the plot of the film centers around Browning, who was arguably one of the greatest British poets of the 19th century. He’s best known for his 1849 collection, The Ring and the Crown, which was written and inspired by the love affair he had with Adelaide von Bülow. They were married for less than a year before she died of typhoid fever, leaving him heartbroken and with a young son to care for. The story follows Browning as he comes to terms with his sorrow and continues on his literary career while raising his son Rupert. Many consider the story to be one of the greatest love tales of all time. It’s been told and retold so many times that it nearly feels like folklore now.
What Are The Pianist’s Views On This?
Tobias Santel was formerly a professional pianist and is now an independent writer, director, and producer based in Berlin. He gave us some insight into how he felt about the upcoming film adaptation of The Selected Works of Robert Browning:
“I’ve been following the Browning story for a few years now, and I must say that I was rather intrigued by the thought of an actress playing the ill-fated poetess. The casting of Robert Pattinson seemed like a good idea, as he’s proven himself over and over again that he can play pretty much any part. That being said, I’m probably not the target audience for this movie. Even ardent Browning fans might find the sporadic romance in The Adventures of Rupert the Rough in quite unbelievable. I can’t image that many women would rush to see a movie about a man who spends the majority of his time writing poems about love and loss.
What Is Your Favorite Browning Poem And Why?
It’s always interesting to see which poems are most associated with a certain actor or actress, and knowing that some of these will be adapted for the big screen makes me wish I could go back in time and personally thank all the poets of old for their words.
What Is The Librarian’s Views On This?
Like most of the other critics and journalists who have seen the movie so far, Michael Pattinson, a British journalist, thinks that the casting of Robert Pattinson is more than appropriate and that it will prove to be a masterpiece. Though he is a fan of the actor’s work and has seen him in The Librarian, this is definitely the part that he’ll remember most:
“I quite like the idea of the film and the way it’s turning out. I think there’ll be a lot to talk about, and I’m sure it’ll be discussed for many years to come. It’s a bit like Shakespeare in Love but with better dialogue and more action. It’s different, but in the most respectful way possible. So I’m looking forward to seeing it.”
He also added that though his accent may be a little off-putting at first, he’s confident that it will grow on you like Shakespeare’s accent did.
Overall, How Did You Feel About This Film?
I think that The Selected Works of Robert Browning is a beautiful film, and as an unabashed admirer of the great Bard, I would have liked to see more of his work adapted for the big screen rather than less. It would have been quite the coup to have gotten Benedict Cumberbatch or Jude Law to tackle Hamlet or Macbeth, respectively, but alas, we may never know. Regardless, The Selected Works of Robert Browning is well worth a watch for fans of the Bard and those who simply want to see brilliant acting and beautiful cinematography.