Before you even start to consider watching this movie, there are certain things you should know: it has been widely speculated that William Shakespeare, as we know him, never actually wrote his plays. The basis of this movie, therefore, is quite sound. What you should, under no circumstances, do is enter the IMDb forum looking for this movie. If you do, you will be joining, albeit even passively, a war that's been raging on for centuries, between the so-called Stratfordians (pro-Shakespearians) and anti-Stratforidans (pro-anybody else but Shakespeare). The anti-Stratfordian line braches into possible candidates for the real author of the plays and sonnets, so you have Oxfordians (in favour of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford), Baconians (Sir Francis Bacon), Marlovians (Christopher Marlowe) and Derbytians (Earl of Derby).
Confuzed much?
You, in all reality, shouldn't be. This is just a movie. It was not based on any real investigation and as such its purpose is not to clearify who the real author is...so settle down, all you forum lunatics. Roland Emmerich's aim was to put a further doubt to Shakespeare's legacy and stir the waters of his identity, and as such, our admiration for the works themselves - regardless of their real author (even though Emmerich's movie clearly states that it's Edward de Vere).
Historically speaking, and in relation to accuracy, I'd say it's 60% fact and 40% fiction. But, if you're asking me if I liked this movie or not, then the answer is yes - it was fast, furios and thought provoking. And Rhys Ifans as de Vere was remarkable. Vanessa Redgrave, well...wow. However, since Anonymous (as the name states) never really had wide screenings in the USA, I doubt that these two will get the praise and awards that they absolutely deserve.
8 out of 10.
p.s. On a personal note, when my university days of English language and literature touched on Shakespeare, we were dully advized to consider him the greatest writer of all time, any authorship question was a heresy and would end up in you flunking the exam (even though the facts suggest that the man was almost illiterate). So, yes, I am anti-Stratfordian all the way.
