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Love's Labour's Lost 2000 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
PG, 96 min. (sensuality) |
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Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Alicia Silverstone, Alessandro Nivola, Natascha McElhone, Carmen Ejogo, Matthew Lillard, Adrian Lester, Emily Mortimer, Richard Briers, Geraldine McEwan, Stefania Rocca, Timothy Spall, Nathan Lane
Producers: David Barron, Kenneth Branagh
Screenplay: Kenneth Branagh, William Shakespeare (play)
Cinematography: Alex Thomson
Distributor: Miramax Films
Released: 6/9/00 (Limited) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Those familiar with Shakespeare's work may find themselves confused or even dismayed at Kenneth Branagh's latest
directorial ode to the Bard with Love's Labour's Lost, a musical comedy that awkwardly combines elements of a 50's
musical, a 30's historical backdrop, and dialogue from the Shakespearean era. At times difficult to follow but always
highly watchable, the film interprets Shakespeare's romantic comedy as a light, frothy piece of entertainment, as Branagh
uses pushes his creative juices into overtime. The result is somewhat disjointed, but always enjoyable.
It's interesting to see Branagh fashion classic characters such as Don Adriano de Armado (Timothy Spall) and
Costard (Nathan Lane) around musical numbers like "The Way You Look Tonight," "Cheek to Cheek," and
"There's No Business Like Show Business." Of course, the main characters are also somewhat re-envisioned, led by
King Ferdinand of Navarre (Alessandro Nivola), and his three best friends, Berowne (Branagh), Longaville (Matthew Lillard),
and Dumain (Adrian Lester). Their pact to study and resist the wiles of women, led by When the Princess of France
(Alicia Silverstone) arrives with her three lady attendants, Rosaline (Natascha McElhone), Maria (Carmen Ejogo), and
Katherine (Emily Mortimer), eventually lays in chards at their feet. It's the way in which Branagh fashions Shakespeare's play
that will have viewers both perplexed and exhilarated.
It's ironic that a man who has portrayed Shakespeare with vigorous rigidity in its authenticity would now construct a near
farcical re-telling of one of the Bard's more overlooked creations. Branagh has thrown caution to the wind, allowing himself
and his actors to play their parts with an over-the-top style that can be at times disconcerting. However, as the film attests,
the actors are up to the challenge, and successfully communicate the heart of the story while enjoying themselves in the
process. And it doesn't hurt that the film is shortened to a crisp 95 minutes, thereby not outstaying its welcome.
© 2000 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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