The Lears

The Lears, released in 2017, is a deft piece of storytelling written and directed by Carl Bessai. The film, which boasts a dynamic ensemble cast, represents a subversive take on William Shakespeare's classic play, "King Lear." The movie takes an ambitious leap from stage to screen, transforming the timeless tragedy into a compelling, contemporary drama.

Well known for his versatile acting prowess, Bruce Dern leads the cast by stepping into the shoes of Davenport Lear, an aging, world-renowned architect and the patriarch of the conflicted Lear family. His performance is both profound and riveting, embodying the complexities and vulnerabilities of a man staring into the twilight of his life. Dern mirrors the foundations of King Lear, portraying a character caught between the hard realities of aging and the mounting pressures of his professional life.

Anthony Michael Hall plays the middle child, a celebrity real estate broker named Glenn whose strained relationship with his father forms the core of his character's arc. Sean Astin, best recognized for his role in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, delivers another nuanced performance as the youngest son, Tom, an academic with a sidelined career, grappling with past failures and a deep-seated desire for his father's approval.

The plot unfolds when Davenport Lear invites his four children to his remote estate to announce his retirement. However, he attaches a theatrical twist to the announcement. He organizes his retirement party as a pseudo-play with each of them having a role to perform. This situation induces tension, bringing forth their inter-personal struggles and intense family dynamics.

Nicola Peltz and Aly Michalka round out the Lear clan as the two daughters, Regan and Cordelia. They manage to leave a substantial impression despite the overwhelmingly male-dominated narrative. Their characters offer unique perspectives, with Regan as the successful but pressured Hollywood actress and Cordelia as the rebellious, free-spirited youngest daughter, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the narrative.

As the plot progresses, the film delves into the layered dynamics between the members of the Lear family. Each character's drama, angst, and confrontations are meticulously detailed, shedding light on the familial bonds that are simultaneously nurturing and suffocating. This exploration of family dynamics is masterfully wrapped within a narrative shell of professional pressure, personal failures, and individual identities, which ties back to Shakespeare's original tragedy.

Throughout the movie, Bessai uses the broad strokes of Shakespeare's 'King Lear' as a narrative blueprint while infusing his modern interpretation with deep psychological nuances and intricate character studies. He crafts Davenport Lear not as a one-dimensional figure but a profoundly complex character grappling with loneliness, professional pressures, familial expectations, and decreased physical abilities due to aging.

Equally commendable is Bessai's decision to set the backdrop of this drama against the world of architecture. This allows the movie to use architecture as a subtle metaphor for the deceptive appearance of perfectly structured lives and the vulnerability of these structures in the face of personal predicament and emotional devastation.

The Lears, though starkly differing from its original Shakespearian tragedy in terms of setting, themes, and execution, beautifully draws parallels to it. It brings into play Shakespeare's themes of legacy, parenthood, familial bonds and rivalry, personal identities, and the inevitability of age and time.

Accolades must also be given to the film’s cinematographer, Mark Dobrescu, whose lens captures the gripping drama with a simplicity that enhances the emotional intensity of the narrative. As the Lear family confront divides and deals with unresolved issues, the frustrations and tensions bubble, escalating to a narrative climax that leaves the viewer deeply engaged.

The Lears is a dramatically potent, psychologically engaging, and modern retelling of a timeless tragedy. With stellar performances, particularly by Dern, Hall and Astin, and its masterful execution, the movie stands as a resounding testament to the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s work in contemporary cinema. It's an exploration into ego, legacy, love, and the complex dynamics of a dysfunctional family that will strike a chord with anyone who appreciates thought-provoking cinema.