A Midsummer Night's Dream

As for the movie well for her role as Hermia I can finally forgive Calista Flockhart for all those shenanigans she pulls off in Ally McBeal.Well done girl! I agree with all the praise heaped on Kevin Klines performance but I thought Stanley Tucci also deserved some kudos for his portrayal of Puck.Because it was such a pivotal role I thought he made the movie,even with his broad New York accent.Well he made me laugh a few times.Pfeiffer's sexy Queen Titania was excellent while Rupert Everitt seemed to fit Oberon like a new skin.He never looked so macho! Now I'll definitely have to buy the video but i recommend this film to first time Shakespeare watchers.If the story doesnt grab you the acting and the sets surely will. William take another bow.


Great Fun... Phenomenal!!   October 5, 1999
jsal9@erols.com (Princeton, NJ)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This recent version of A Midsummer Night's Dream is absolutely gorgeous and perfect in every way. The camera work id phenomenal. I could just imagine William Shakespeare watching and enjoying every minute of this beautiful production. I'm sure that this is exactly how he would have intended it to performed if he were here today. Kevin Kline does things I didn't know an actor could do... maybe his best performance to-date! Calista Flockhart avoids doing anything that could even remind you of Ally McBeal despite the closeness of the characters. She is shockingly good and pleasant as is everybody else. This is a good example of what a good producer and director can do with one of the greatest scripts in history.


A Dream: The Modern Midsummer Nights Dream   September 26, 2005
Rudy Avila (Lennox, Ca United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is a fine version/adaptation of Shakespeare's classic comic masterpiece, with superior cinematography and fine acting, especially in actress Michelle Pfeiffer as the Fairy Queen Titania,Calista Flockhart as Helena, Stanley Tucci as the mischievous sprite Puck and Kevin Kline as Bottom the actor-turned-donkey. The setting has been changed to turn-of-the-century Tuscany, Italy, and the cast is mostly British and American actors donning Edwardian clothes (when they are not nude). It is still a good film and the magic of the original work is not lost in this strange twist in time period. The look, cinematially, is breathtaking, as we see lush vistas of the Tuscan countryside. The authentic Edwardian ambiance includes the newly invented bicycle and the much-loved phonograph, which constantly plays opera. Which brings me to another outstanding element in this movie- the soundtrack. It is gorgeous and will make you want to purchase the soundtrack itself. Besides spectacular classical music, like the Overture, Nocturne and Wedding March from Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream; the score features operatic arias sung by popular and talented opera stars Roberto Alagna, Renee Fleming, Luciano Pavarotti and Cecilia Bartoli. The most beautiful of these is Renee Fleming's interpretation of the aria "Casta Diva" from Bellini's Norma. Most people associate this Shakespearian comedy with English folk and Elizabethan times, it is a jolly comedy which reflected the gaiety of Queen Elizabeth's festive court, especially festive around the holidays. But no matter how you change this story to fit a diverse time period, it is still the same story. The actors are doing a fine job in their respective roles. It is still delightful to watch Puck making fools of the lovers who fall for each other's partners. The movie is even better on DVD, packed with some bonus features including trailer and commentary. The sound is superior than on VHS. This is a must have. I highly recommend it. Memorable are such scenes as when Helena and the other girl get in a mud-fight! I was very surprised that Calista Flockheart (from Fox's Ally Mcbeal) was in this movie and even more surprised that soprano Renee Fleming lent her voice to this. She is singing the earliest Casta Diva she has ever sung, and is in fine shape vocally. I hope that people can get past the fact this movie is not traditionally staged and is excellent and holds it own.