Looking for Answers in Finding Richard Al Pacino's "Looking for Richard" is an unusual film. It is a documentary about the complexities of Shakespeare, the performance of the play Richard III, and the ignorance of the average American about Shakespeare. The unusual nature of the film - it is similar to a filmed version of the Cliff Notes text - provokes very different reactions from film buffs, critics and Shakespeare purists. An examination of five different reviews of the film shows such descriptive variations ranging from Mary Brennan's comment that the documentary is "downright narcissistic" to Edwin Jahiel's comment that the film is "an original and fascinating exploration". The rather large inconsistency between reviews leads to an interesting juxtaposition of its criticisms, as we examine the reasons why "Looking for Richard" elicits such strong responses from its supporters and detractors. A summary look at each of the reviews reveals the wide range between the reviews. criticisms. The first review, by Mary Brennan and posted on the Film.Com website, is generally positive, despite the aforementioned quote that the documentary is "downright narcissistic". Brennan found herself enjoying the film despite herself, appreciating the "extraordinarily compelling" way the film analyzed Shakespeare. However, any approval of the film is subsequently balanced by a disparaging comment about it. Brennan calls some rehearsals "extremely entertaining," then says the endless scenes of Pacino "getting mugged on camera...quickly lose their appeal." However, she seems to enjoy the film despite its perceived weaknesses. Al Pacino's attitude is "infuriating but likable" and the whole package is enjoyable. Brennan seems......middle of paper......r those like me, however, who like Shakespeare but perhaps don't understand him as well as we hope in the first two readings, it worked ideally.Works CitedBrennan, Mary. Film.com. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://www.film.com/reviews/index.jhtml?review_url=/film-review/1996/9006/15/default-review.htmlDre. Girls at the cinema. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://www.girlson.com/film/navigation/index.htmlJahiel, Edwin. Rec.arts.movies.review. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://reviews.imdb.com/Reviews/65/6541Renshaw, Scott. Rec.arts.movies.review. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://reviews.imdb.com/Reviews/61/6195Schwartzbaum, Lisa. "Great shakes." Entertainment weekly. November 1, 1996. http://www.ew.comZimmer, A. Syracuse Times Online. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://newtimes.rway.com/films/richard.htm