William Shakespeare is better known for his serious tragedies involving kings and queens. "As You Like It" is about as silly as Shakespeare gets. You know a Shakespeare comedy is about couples who end up together after mistaken identity crisis. In this updated version with a diverse cast of characters is set in Japan in the 19th century, director and screenwriter and Shakespeare expert Kenneth Branagh did a splendid job in directing this mostly outdoor set film which was actually shot in the English countryside than the Japanese countryside where it's actually set in this film. The cast is excellent featuring Branagh's favorites like Richard Briers and Brian Blessed in the cast. Janet McTeer is barely recognizable in the role. The costumes, hair, and make-up are first rate. Bryce Dallas Howard is remarkable as Rosalind although her drag get-up as a male character is hardly believable. Adrian Lester is an actor to watch out for in the future. He has done Shakespeare in Britain himself. The silliness of Shakespeare's comedies shows another side to the legendary scribe. He can be silly, pretentious, and entertaining. It doesn't have to be depressing, morbid, or just sad in his works.
Review of As You Like It
