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Parents' Guide to

Anonymous

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Uneven drama questions Shakespeare's identity.

Movie PG-13 2011 130 minutes
Anonymous Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 16+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Michelle H.
Michelle H. Adult
May 22, 2018
age 16+

A film for storytellers and truly appreciate their full capactiy

William Shakespeare has become a symbol for genius storytellers and definitive proof that ideas outlive the human lifespan. Anonymous by Roland Emmerich and John Orloff is a spectacular argument and homage to meaningful storytelling and Shakespeare himself. This gritty tragedy full of betrayal, honor and obsession is truly a masterful summation of a what might've gone through Shakespeare's head while alive...that is if he really was the man we all thought he was. Not for the average moviegoer solely looking to enjoy "popcorn entertainment" as the layers of timelines and realities demands full attention in order to be truly appreciated. TLDR if you don't know even the littlest about Shakespeare you probably won't like it

This title has:

Great messages
Compass
Compass Adult
March 1, 2012
age 16+

Great film, but needlessly sexual at times.

(Sexuality) As a 20 year-old man, I must admit that I found the first love/sex scene in the film, while not truly explicit, to be exceptionally gritty; there is no nudity, but the few shots of implied oral sex during the characters dialogue stood out as being far more sexual than the other 2 brief sexual scenes, almost shockingly so. The way it was presented- with the gritty, sensual lighting, the movement of the woman's head towards the mans waist, coupled with the recognizable sounds of oral sex- felt out of place, and I feel that the movie as a whole would have prospered if just those few seconds had been cut from the final film. (Other sexual content) Aside from that first scene, there is also a very brief shot of a man and a women having sex under a bed sheet, showing only the man's back, and another slightly-comedic scene in which a character is caught with a prostitute, which contains a few frames of his partially-exposed rear-end. Nothing overly explicit, but these scenes are a central aspect the the plot, and they should be noted. (Overall) Needless sexuality aside, the film is highly engaging, with powerful and complex dialogue throughout, fantastic performances by all actors, and tremendous costumes and sets. Very unique on all fronts. Due to the sexual nature of the film, as well is it's inherent complexity in both dialogue and plot, this is not a children's film in any way, and I would place it in the higher (R) end of the PG-13 spectrum. However, it's worth watching if the audience has substantial maturity.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Who really wrote Romeo and Juliet? ANONYMOUS posits that William Shakespeare wasn't actually the acclaimed author of the most famous plays in the English language. Instead, the movie says, they were penned by a frustrated nobleman (Rhys Ifans) who desired nothing more than to write but was instead dragged into the machinations of Queen Elizabeth's court and forced to hide his passion, letting an illiterate actor take credit for his life's work. The literary deception is set against a political conspiracy, as the queen's advisors scheme to capture the throne; the two threads tie together as the real playwright attempts to use his words -- rather than swords -- to steer history.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (3 ):

The film has a complex sequence, jumping back and forth between four different time periods, and can be hard to follow. Director Roland Emmerich is better known for his action blockbusters (Independence Day, 2012), and Anonymous works better when he's staging battles than in the many quiet moments when he's attempting to establish the literary fraud.

It's also hard to tell whether Emmerich actually believes in this great Shakespearean conspiracy or if he's just trying to spin a good tale. And it is a good story, with political intrigue, lusty lords and ladies, people with mysterious noble lineage, and some world-class schemers. Still, while the film is entertaining, some viewers might not be sure whether to take it as historical fact or simply a fanciful yarn.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Shakespeare. Do you buy the controversial theory that he might not have written his plays? Why do you think such ideas persist?

  • What are the movie's messages? What is it saying about honesty? Is it ever OK to lie?

  • What would you do if you were forbidden from pursuing the one source of passion in your life? Why was the Earl of Oxford willing to let others take credit for his work?

Movie Details

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