The zeitgeist has a term for men who constantly explain the world: “mansplainer” (from the English “to explain”). In “Seneca” director Robert Schwentke transfers him from the 21st century to the Roman Empire of the year 65 AD.
The great John Malkovich embodies the role of the philosopher and senator Seneca, whose career as teacher and whisperer to the sadistic Emperor Nero is coming to an end – and with it his life. Schwentke (“Der Hauptmann”, “RED”) didn’t set out to put the scholar, who was considered “the wisest man”, on a pedestal in a history ham. He settles accounts with this man who, out of an attitude of complacency, reduces cheap verbal art to a means to an end – that of not just surviving under Nero, but living a good life, preaching water, a simple life, but wine like them Made in the bacon of the elite drinks. Schwentke reflects the senselessness of this role of the unasked, constant chatter in a brutalized system of rule that serves the leader, which he stages in an exciting way – with subtle references. Nero, whom the director has cast with Tom Xander as a fat, dull teenager, whom the young Briton interprets brilliantly, is addressed by the vassals as “Mr. President”.
In keeping with the US debate, Seneca is seen as the heart of the “establishment”. This one ducks away as blood flows, heads roll. The trace of the devastation of the enraptured Nero stands in stark contrast to Seneca’s polished dialogues and explanations.
Schwentke uses the immediacy of spoken theater. With the visual possibilities of the film, he refines a raw, jerky, scenic staging in which the scenery seems to have fallen from the sky. The images seek out the glaring light, explore haggard faces in the darkness, interrupted by brightly colored crossfades, as if the visual language had that punk, that rebellion that the political personnel lack. It’s a form that makes this film very modern, surprisingly different, approachable. Until it becomes clear that Nero also wants Seneca dead.
From then on, Schwentke loses himself, precisely in what he won from his previous film. The 69-year-old Malkovich is staged with excessive monologues. He is truly fabulous. The fact that the trendy moment ends, however, sabotages the work for real cineastes with unnecessary lengthiness.
“Seneca”: D 2023, 112 min., in cinemas from Friday
OÖN rating: three stars out of six
author
Nora Bruckmuller
Editor Culture
Nora Bruckmuller
