A   MIDSUMMER   NIGHT'S   DREAM

 
    Based on the play by William Shakespeare
    MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sensuality and nudity.
 
    Directed by ----------  Michael Hoffman
    Produced by ---------- Leslie Urdang, Michael Hoffman
    Written by ------------- Michael Hoffman
    Music by ------------- Wojciech Kilar
    Edited by ------------- Garth Craven
    Production design ----- Luciana Arrighi
    Costume design ------- Gabriella Pescucci
 
   For sheer sumptuous sensuality, this newest version of Shakespeare’s tale of “lovers, ill-met by moonlight” is a delight for ears and eyes.  Set amid the backdrop of late 19th Century Tuscany with its rich green lushness and estate-like vistas, this Midsummer  Night’s Dream is dreamy, indeed...filled with a density of image and magic in the fairy
realms of King Oberon and Queen Titania, the viewer becomes almost lost in passion and certainly caught up in the stunning array of famous Bardic language and memorable quotes.

To those who think only English actors can capture the wealthy linguistic panorama of Shakespeare’s flowing verse --- think again!  An extremely able cast of David Staithairn (L. A. Confidential), Sophie Marceau (Braveheart), Calista Flockhart (yes, that one!), Michelle Pfeiffer, and the hilarious, inimitable Kevin Kline show that they can “trippingly
upon the tongue” deliver Elizabethan goods as interestingly, amusingly, lovingly as any “who strut and fret upon the boards.”

From the sparkling title sequence of firefly-like fairies into the incredibly appetizing opening sequence of food preparations for the marriage of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, director David Hoffman spins a never-ending web of feasts for the eye, intrigues for the heart, and comedic bits deeply embued with fairy dust.

True the misunderstandings and mislaid love of Titania, Lysander, Hermia, Helena, Demetrius, and Bottom lead you on a merry chase reminiscent of soap opera gone awry.  True, too, the belly-laugh antics of the “poor players” who rehearse and perform “Pyramus and Thisbe” must bowl you over in the aisles.  And setting off the beautiful and
romantic lines from the Bard are appropriate selections from Bellini, Rossini, Verdi and other operatic arias sung by Pavoratti, Fleming and Bartoli.

Do you like sensual, magical screen moments among the fairy revels?  Not since Fellini’s imaginative, sexy evocations have I seen anything like Titania’s bower and Oberon’s grotto.  And then --- there is the whimsical, badboy whirls of Puck (Stanely Tucci).  I could go on and on, but, no---You should treat yourself to this eloquent, elegant, funny
and downright sexy Midsummer Night’s Dream.  You’ll thank yourself you did.

   Cast:
   Christian Bale -------- Demetrius
   Rupert Everett ------- Oberon, King of the Fairies
   Calista Flockhart ----- Helena
   Kevin Kline ---------- Bottom, actor
   Sophie Marceau ------ Hippolyta
   Michelle Pfeiffer ------ Titania, Queen of the Fairies
   David Strathairn ------ Theseus
   Stanley Tucci --------- Puck, (Robin Goodfellow) trickster
   Anna Friel ------------ Hermia
   Dominic West -------- Lysander
   John Sessions -------- Philostrate
   Roger Rees ---------- Peter Quince
   Max Wright ---------- Starveling
   Gregory Jbara -------- Snub the Joiner
   Bill Irwin ------------- Tom Snout
   Sam Rockwell -------- Flute