Director Michael Hoffman
Stars Kevin Kline, Michell Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart
Certificate n/a
Running time 121 mins
Made USA 1998

WILL it never end? Another revival for old Shakey by a pack of Hollywood's pretentious and prestigious, and as guaranteed as all the other Shakespeare plays to be hailed by the brown-nosing critics as a tasteful masterpiece and potential Oscar-winner if only they had thought of releasing it later in the year.

But they hadn't, thank god. Which is lucky because this adaptation of Will's light comedy by writer and director Michael Hoffman has a cast and film-making team of the highest credentials, and unsurprisingly the end-product is discreetly imaginative, carefully shot and respectful of the original play.

In this version Kevin Kline is centre-stage as Bottom, although Stanley Tucci's Puck almost steals the show. Michelle Pfeiffer shines as Titania, and Rupert Everett is appropriately given the role of Oberon, king of the fairies.

As for those young lovers, Dominic West's Lysander inspired irritation in this male reviewer. Who knows what the attractive Hermia (Anna Friel) sees in him. And it takes strong liberal tendencies not to want to shoot the otherwise flawless casting director for suggesting Ally McBeal actress Calista Flockhart as Helena; she looks preposterous topless. She is topless.

The issue is not the acting talent, cinematography, adaptation or indeed direction. It is that Shakespeare, after this endless glut of film adaptations, should be left alone and allowed to be performed in the theatres where he belongs. Invest in some original, tasteful, classy original scripts by living screenwriters for once, Hollywood. Stop playing safe. (And stop laughing in the back there).

The Sphinx

Read The Wolf's review here