King Lear disliked its dark and depressing tone, but since the 19th century Shakespeare's original version has been regarded as one of his supreme achievements. The tragedy is particularly noted for its probing observations on the nature of human suffering and kinship. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "No man will ever write a better tragedy than Lear." King Lear of Britain, elderly and wanting to retire from the duties of the monarchy, decides to divide his realm among his three daughters, and declares he will offer the largest share to the one who loves him most. The eldest, Goneril, speaks first, declaring her
In the Name of My Daughter the characters' passions drive the action, director Andre Téchiné lends the film an appealing illusion of calm." Richard Brody from "The New Yorker" called the film "a ready-made classic melodrama". Nicolas Rapold writing for "The New York Times" commented that "Mr. Téchiné ’s methodical storytelling covers more narrative ground than the drama requires, sapping the film’s energy." In his review for the "San Francisco Chronicle", Mick LaSalle described "In the Name of my daughter" as "Lacking action to the point of seeming immobile, Mr. Téchiné nevertheless amasses a catalogue of anger, desire and sex, enhanced by stunning landscapes of villas