Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Rating: PG13
Romantic Comedy
Starring: Calista Flockhart
Kevin Kline
Rupert Everett
Michelle Pfeiffer
Director: Michael Hoffman
Producer: Michael Hoffman
Writer: Michael Hoffman... pattern?
Rating: 83%
This classic Shakespearian novel is adapted and put into
action as two young lovers runaway togeather into an
enchanted forest. Here, Hermia and Lysander hope to get
away from Hermia's father Egeus, and soon get married.
Also coming along, is Demetrius; the faithful love-sick
follower of Hermia who has her father's approval. However,
Helena who absolutely adores Demetrius follows him, hoping
to gain his affection. As complications arise, and
two fairy monarchies get involved, a complex entanglement
of love, hate, and mischief reigns.
While I'm incredibly impressed by the acting portrayed
in this film, it's interpretation is just a little bit
odd. Nonetheless, it's still a relatively well-done
film. Something unexpected however, was the films
complete and utter closeness to the actual Shakesperian
play. It's actually authenitc in Shakespearian language,
and was filmed on site, in Italy. Overall, however, it was
an excellent film (if you like Shakespeare..) and the
actors and actresses did a marvelous job!
Someone who deserves definate recognition would be
Calista Flockhart. Her acting was divine as the innocent,
but also desperate, Helena. She protrayed her character
so humorously, and so adorably that she must've been the
favorite among most viewers. Furthermore, her experience
on Ally McBeal definately shined through as she, (other
than Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, and Kevin Klein)
appeared to be the most experienced actress on set.
The film's downfall, however, was it's ability to drag
on and on at parts, and the fact that Everett, Pfeiffer,
Klein and Flockhart were the only four in the entire film
who seemed to provide the lighthearted comedy Shakespeare
had intended. Several other members of the cast appeared
rather serious while A Mid-Summer Night's Dream was written
as a silly comedy. Nonetheless, it was still well-done.
The thing with Shakespeare, is that it's really difficult
to produce a movie which satisfies all interpretations.
Furtheremore, acting, in every character, must be at the
highest of standards for the film to be, even bearable.
This film definately had superb acting; even in those
who were not as experienced as the four more famous ones.
Nonetheless, with Shakespeare, in order to have a stunting
preformance, it's necessary for him or her to be a beyond
extroidanary actor or actress.
In perfect honestly, it's really difficult to review this
film since Shakespeare is something that difficult to
tackle. However, the film's ensemble could have been
slightly more balanced. Nonetheless, the film still
deserves a good review since the point did get through,
and it was enjoyable to watch. The acting, furthermore,
was extremely good; anyone who can do Shakespeare at that
level, and provide atleast a solid preformance, is a good
thespian. While I wouldn't necessarily suggest this flick
for teens, it's a really good film if your the "scholarly"
type.
