Phil Mercer

Friday, August 31, 2007

As you like it.

 

Notes: Contains spoilers!
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Its been done before.

Many times, before. Sometimes for TV and sometimes for the cinema.

The thing is, a Shakespeare play is never really properly good for the cinema until Kenneth Branagh has had a go. Boy was this a Kenneth Branagh production.

His choice of cast is great, although sometimes predictable. There is always a risk with a Branagh that the same old cast appears, so it is no surprise to see Richard Briers in it, or Brian Blessed. However, the use of Adrian Lester and David Oyelowo as Oliver and Orlando is a good twist. They are great actors. The fact they are black is finally an insignificance.

Actually, I was very impressed with Brian Blessed. I always think of him as normally going, well - a little over the top, but Branagh has managed to reign him in. He did very well as both the new and old Dukes adding just the right amount of luviness.

Stealing the show as Rosalind is Bryce Dallas Howard. As I watched the film I couldn't take my eyes off her vivid red hair, and once I had googled her, it all made sense. She is the daughter of Ron Howard (Happy Days actor turned director). I hadn't even considered her to be American, she held the accent very well.

One thing that seemed a little contrived and for me was a completely pointless move; locating the story in Japan. It added nothing to the content and in fact at times just seemed a little stupid. It was quite obviously filmed in some lovely woods in the home counties (it felt like home!)

Adding a Hollywood draw to the film is Kevin Kline as Jaques. Okay, so he gets the good monologue, but he does make the original "Marvin" come alive. The "All the worlds a stage" speech is unexpected and works a wonder.

On the subject of Shakespeares great lines, the film once again reminds me that somehow, should by some miracle I ever tie the knot. The final marriage scene has a stunning set of lines. It all comes to a crashing end though when they start to sing Hey nonny nonny etc... thats a song that hasn't improved in 400 years!!!

The movie is a co-production between HBO and BBC Films so its had a funny route to the screen. It was shown at various festivals around the world and got a TV showing in the states on the 21st August. It is (I think) going on release in the UK on the 21st September. I'm not sure if that means it will appear on the BBC at somepoint or go straight to DVD, I will find out though!

All in all, it was a great film. Well put together with a few niggles but nothing more. I can normally tell if its a film I like, if I feel the need to add it to my DVD collection.

I do.

As You Like It, William Shakespeare
Directed and adapted by Kenneth Branagh
Released: 21st September 2007 / Certificate: 12a / Running time: 127mins
Effects: 4
Action: 1
Plot: 5
Adrian Lester: 3 (Yumm!)

Labels: Film Movie

# posted by Phil @ 11:22 am

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