Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut, Coriolanus, an adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s lesser known historical tragedies, finally opens wide in the US and the UK this Friday, January 20. Have I been looking forward to it? You know I have. (I really cannot wait to see it again! It’s a masterful, powerful film and a fantastic debut. No wonder BAFTA nominated it for Best First Feature – a category that other awards giving bodies should think about adding.)

Last night, January 17, Ralph along with Vanessa Redgrave and Jessica Chastain, attended another special screening fo the film, the second held in New York. (The Weinstein Company held one back in December before its awards qualifying opening.) Notably absent last night was Ralph’s co-star, Gerard Butler, who plays Coriolanus’ arch-nemesis Tullus Aufidius. That’s okay, he didn’t stand us up. He wasn’t expected to attend. (Which doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed, but I can live on the Golden Globes pics for a little while longer.)

Enjoy the pics from the screening as well as two new promo images (courtesy of Hollywood.com). Don’t let the fact that this is Shakespeare scare you off of this film. It’s highly accessible Shakespeare and its themes are extremely relevant.

The synopsis: The citizens of Rome are hungry. Coriolanus, the hero of Rome, a a revered and feared General and a man of inflexible self-belief despises the people. Pushed by his controlling and ambitious mother Volumnia to seek the exalted and powerful position of Consul, he is loath to ingratiate himself with the masses whose votes he needs in order to secure the office. When the public refuses to support him, Coriolanus' anger prompts a riot that culminates in his expulsion from Rome. The banished hero then allies himself with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler) to take his revenge on the city.

Bottom line, if you enjoyed The Hurt Locker, complete with tanks and explosions, you'll enjoy Coriolanus. Frankly if you like Greco-Roman wrestling, you'll like Coriolanus…just sayin'.

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Photo Credit: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com