Hank Schiffman

Like all great cultural works, this movie goes beyond its subject, into the human condition. What is it about the confidence game that nails smart and dumb alike? Why do those on board stay with the leaking ship when they can see water pouring in? Do yourself a favor and look at this movie with an eye cast towards the con man who is DJ Trump. He is nowhere in this production, yet he is everywhere in it.

This was a thoughtful essay on the personal aspects of genius. The nose had to be different otherwise the world would presume KB assumed the likeness of the Bard. Olivier as the man of a thousand noses. This was partially a tribute to that Shakespearean actor. And the nose was very well done. The mundane aspects are what this is about. The mind can cross boundaries that the body cannot. This is why Shakespeare appeared timid in most scenes. He understood he fell short of his legacy. His personal life was as trivial as his comic relief characters in his plays. This was an attempt to square the circle of one of humanity's best effort. As to the fake candles and gas fireplace. Give it a break; such concern is akin to condemning idol worship, believing the supplicant actually prays to the statue rather than it being a vessel transmitting to the deity. And to the concern that flashbacks were not used in the death of his son; in essence they were, but in the form of apparition. This was a good stab at capturing the human side of genius.