A Midwinter's Tale [VHS]
![A Midwinter's Tale [VHS]](/images/A-Midwinter-Tale-VHS-6304171137-L.jpg)
|
List Price: Our Price: $49.99 You Save: $50.00 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $33.11 (click here) Category: VHS Video See more movie releases |
|---|
Canada
VHS Movie Reviews of A Midwinter's Tale [VHS]
Movie Review: The greatest comedy you've never heard of
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't let the fact that you've never heard of this deter you from seeing it! When I saw A Midwinter's Tale in a New York movie theater I went back either the next day or within a couple of days and it was GONE. I couldn't believe the movie ran for such a short period. And, although the VHS has been available for a few years, Amazon.com didn't even carry it at first. So, I figured "something" was going on at the distributor. Since the other reviews already say enough about it, all I can add is, this film is destined to be a CLASSIC. Branagh pays homage to Woody Allen's Stardust Memories & Manhattan in the beginning but develops the film into so much more as the characters reveal themselves in the way that only British comedians can! I believe the reason for removing it was more economic/political than actual interest -- indeed, the movie never had a chance to be seen!Movie Review: Such a pity this is not available on DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
VHS has gone the way of the dinosaur! This movie was fantastic. A must see for anyone who has taken an interest in theater (professional or amateur). I can't help wishing it was available on DVD! I have looked and looked (and searched and searched) and if I have missed something please let me know. My search for the DVD will continue till I reach my grave.Movie Review: Wonderful, but not absolutely fabulous...
Summary: 4 Stars
Not everyone is going to love this movie. Frankly, most people won't, or didn't love this movie. Otherwise, most people would have it, or at least have heard of it, right?However, if you love great acting, low-key British absurdity, the fun bits of Shakespeare, and off-beat characters that you'd like to have as personal friends, you will probably love this movie. You are also a rare person. Get this movie.
Others have written about the plot, so I'll skip that. I'll just give my personal opinions - this is my personal review, after all.
The acting in this movie is wonderful. It features some marvelous actors, including guest spots by Joan Collins and Jennifer Saunders (Edina of Absolutely Fabulous fame, and one half of French & Saunders [look them up!]), and features Julia Sawalha (Saffy of AbFab) in a starring role. They are probably the only actors in this film that Americans have ever heard of, which is a great pity, because the entire cast is top-notch.
Kenneth Branagh directs, but with a restrained hand. This movie feels very much like the work of the ensemble it portrays - a bunch of talented actors who are doing a work of love because they love to work, and are good at it.
On the down side, this is not a movie that most Americans will find accessible. There are too many "in jokes" that will go right past people who are not familiar with British pop culture and Shakespeare. It also helps if you've been (or tried to be) an actor at some time in your life.
Like too many other great but unknown-to-the-general-public films, this requires the audience to think in order to get the jokes. This is not something that the American audience has been trained to do. There's no action. The only bloody part is the Shakespeare kind - on stage, no actual blood required. You actually have to pay attention in order to follow the plot.
Frankly, you need intelligence and a fair amount knowledge about "Hamlet" to enjoy this movie.
I highly recommend this movie. Because it doesn't rise above it's own cleverness to be accessible at many levels (unlike almost anything directed by D.W. Griffith), I can't rate this movie as "great". But it is one of the few movies I keep in my personal collection.
Movie Review: funny
Summary: 5 Stars
for people who know kenneth branagh as 'that shakespeare guy', this film will come as a big surprise. ken has a sense of humor! this is a very funny film about the trials and travails of an almost down and out theatre group who are trying to save a down and out church by putting on the bard's 'hamlet'. the witty reparte is fast and rapier sharp. the characterizations are excellent, each character is distinct and real. the only exception was the actor who played polonius - i never had a clear picture of his personality. the camera work is unusual and interesting, too. the camera itself seldom moves, and the actors are usually shot in long range; there are relatively few close-ups. and branagh makes full use of the 3rd dimension of the camera frame. there are often things happening behind the front plane of the frame; and behind that; and even behind that, for four levels of composition. often, there are two or three jokes going on at the same time, one right behind the other. you have to rewind and watch it over to get everything. an excellent little film. even if you don't care for shakespeare, it's worth a watch just for the jokes.Movie Review: Why must the show go on?
Summary: 4 Stars
Kenneth Branagh: Star and producer of a slew of good or not-so-good Shakespearean movie productions, including the gorgeous "Much Ado About Nothing." Here he tries his hand at writing and direction rather than acting, and the result is an entertaining tongue-in-cheek comedy. It's a movie about putting on a play -- nuff zed.A struggling actor has decided to fulfill a dream by putting on a production of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." However, the budget is very low, the location is in the middle of a rather cultureless rural town, and the actors are, to put it generously, weird and a bit loserish. (Including one who equates Hamlet with geology, a gay man who insists on playing "Dirty Gertie," and a nearsighted women who auditions with a bad Debbie Harry impression)
But all weirdness aside, they trundle off to the country and begins rehearsals, but everything is going wrong -- they're in danger of being kicked out, the cast is depressed, and the tickets aren't selling. But somehow they have to pull their peculiar little production together and make it work...
Branagh does an excellent job with what feels like a low-budget flick -- few actors, few sets, black-and-white film and simple camerawork. The last section of it is a little out of sync with the first part, though, as if Branagh realized that he had to pull the "stage of fools" together if he wanted a happy ending. What makes this fantastic is the combination of high humor and slapstick, amusingly crazy people and poignant moments. One lovely moment has Nina Raymond reminiscing about her late husband, and explaining why she doesn't have her eyes seen to.
Dialogue is immensely well-written, from Terry's coy "I'm here to play the QUEEN!" to Joe's impassioned monologue in which he asks why life is worth living. And Branagh does a good job of balancing out the comedy so that it seems very real. (Although it does descend to slapstick sometimes -- one of the more hilarious parts includes nearsighted Nina rushing across the stage to throw herself into her costar's arms, missing him completely, and falling face-down on the stone stairs)
Those who enjoyed Branagh's "Hamlet" will see a few familiar faces, such as Richard Briars and Nicholas Farrell, both of whom are as good here as they were there. Michael Maloney does an excellent job as a passionate actor who is being hampered by the realities of money. Joan Collins looks like she's having a blast as his agent. Celia Imrie doesn't seem entirely sure what kind of character she wants to play, silly or serious, and the resulting mishmash is disconcerting.
"A Midwinter's Tale" is one of those unique little comedies that not enough people have seen. While not perfect, it's a treat for people who love Shakespeare, Hamlet, or have ever tormented themselves by putting on a play.