Seeking Answers in Looking for Richard Al Pacino's "Seeking Richard" is an unusual film. This is a documentary about the complexities of Shakespeare, the performance of the play Richard III, and the average American's ignorance of Shakespeare. The unusual nature of the film - it is similar to a filmed version of the text by Cliff Notes - provokes very different reactions from film buffs, critics and Shakespeare purists. Reading five different reviews of the film shows such variations of descriptors that range from Mary Brennan's comment that the documentary is "decidedly narcissistic" to Edwin Jahiel's comment that the film is an "original and fascinating exploration." The rather large incongruity between the reviews leads to an interesting juxtaposition of its critiques, as we examine the reasons why "Looking for Richard" elicits such strong responses from its supporters and detractors. A summarized look at each of the reviews reveals the wide range among the critics. reviews. The first review, written by Mary Brennan and posted on the website Film.Com, is generally positive, despite the aforementioned quote that the documentary is "decidedly narcissistic". Brennan found herself enjoying the film despite herself, appreciating the "extraordinarily fascinating" way the film dissected Shakespeare. However, any approval of the film is then offset by a disparaging remark about it. Brennan calls some of the rehearsals "thoroughly entertaining", then says that the endless scenes of Pacino "attacking the camera...quickly lose their charm". Still, she seems to enjoy the film despite its perceived weaknesses. Al Pacino's posture is "infuriating but likeable", and the whole thing is pleasant. Brennan seems... middle of paper ...... for those like me, however, who love Shakespeare but perhaps don't understand him as well as we hope on the first couple of readings, this 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 movies. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://www.girlson.com/film/navigation/index.html Jahiel, Edwin. Rec.arts.movies.revue. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://reviews.imdb.com/Reviews/65/6541 Renshaw, Scott. Rec.arts.movies.revue. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://reviews.imdb.com/Reviews/61/6195Schwartzbaum, Lisa. “Big shakes.” Weekly Entertainment. November 1, 1996. http://www.ew.comZimmer, A. Syracuse Times Online. Internet. Online. 1996. URL: http://newtimes.rway.com/films/richard.htm