This is not a review of the overall movie but instead a review of one (significant) part: Elisabeth Shue. Although she's just a secondary character in the film, I found myself riveted to her performance and laughing riotously at everything she did. She's now officially my favourite actress, and if you see this film there's a good chance she may become yours too.
This is more than just random praise for one of the performers. Actually her character is very relevant to the story. HAMLET 2 is about a washed-up, mediocre actor (played by Coogan) who believes enthusiasm is more important than talent. With a ridiculously optimistic attitude despite a life of failure, he embarks on putting together the most ambitious play ever made: a sequel to Hamlet. The movie is full of madcap situations, and often it borders on utterly absurd. But this is where Shue's character comes in. Playing herself as a fellow "washed-up, mediocre actor" (which is hilarious considering how successful she is in real life), she plays the role with deadpan sobriety. She becomes the "straight man" which is the glue that holds this story together. Shue is the reference point without which the film would spiral into a silly romp.
Movies where actors play themselves with hilarious results:
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH with John Malkovich
COFFEE & CIGARETTES with Steve Coogan, Cate Blanchett, etc
KING OF COMEDY with Jerry Lewis (aka Jerry "Langford")
HAMLET 2 with Elisabeth Shue
See them all. You won't be disappointed!
This is more than just random praise for one of the performers. Actually her character is very relevant to the story. HAMLET 2 is about a washed-up, mediocre actor (played by Coogan) who believes enthusiasm is more important than talent. With a ridiculously optimistic attitude despite a life of failure, he embarks on putting together the most ambitious play ever made: a sequel to Hamlet. The movie is full of madcap situations, and often it borders on utterly absurd. But this is where Shue's character comes in. Playing herself as a fellow "washed-up, mediocre actor" (which is hilarious considering how successful she is in real life), she plays the role with deadpan sobriety. She becomes the "straight man" which is the glue that holds this story together. Shue is the reference point without which the film would spiral into a silly romp.
Movies where actors play themselves with hilarious results:
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH with John Malkovich
COFFEE & CIGARETTES with Steve Coogan, Cate Blanchett, etc
KING OF COMEDY with Jerry Lewis (aka Jerry "Langford")
HAMLET 2 with Elisabeth Shue
See them all. You won't be disappointed!