This version of As You Like It is only for those who speak fluent Shakespeare. For that matter, the 1936 version is also for the same audience. If you're like me and have an extremely difficult time following the complex language unless certain actors are speaking, you might not get through either one. Richard Burton isn't in this movie, so I had a tough time.
One thing you should know before you rent this one is the locale has changed. Kenneth Branagh has reset As You Like It in feudal Japan. I thought for the first ten minutes I'd rented the wrong movie; it was more like a James Bond movie than Shakespeare! There are enough action scenes, samurai swords, fistfights, and sumo wrestling to distract you long enough until the actors start speaking. Then, it's every man for itself.
If you like the cast, you might want to give this one a shot. Adorable Bryce Dallas Howard takes the lead (and a convincing British accent) as the young girl banished to the forest who pretends to be a boy so no one will recognize her. Her traveling companions are Romola Garai and Alfred Molina, with a hairdo so ridiculous he doesn't even have to open his mouth to be the comic relief. Bryce's love interest, with such terrible eyesight and judgment that he can't recognize his girlfriend with curly, red tendrils falling out of her cap, is David Oyelowo. He has a feud with his brother, Shakespearean veteran Adrian Lester, and while on his own separate quest in the forest, he bumps into the meditating philosopher Kevin Kline. Kevin gets to recite the "All the world's a stage" famous monologue, but unless you're really paying attention, you might miss it.
Unless you're really paying attention, you might miss a lot, since this Shakespearean movie requires every ounce of concentration. There are no free passes, so unless you're fluent try something easier first.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Many of the camera movements are too fluid, creating a 'follow the bouncing ball' effect that might make you sick. Also, in the very end there's a huge camera spin. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
One thing you should know before you rent this one is the locale has changed. Kenneth Branagh has reset As You Like It in feudal Japan. I thought for the first ten minutes I'd rented the wrong movie; it was more like a James Bond movie than Shakespeare! There are enough action scenes, samurai swords, fistfights, and sumo wrestling to distract you long enough until the actors start speaking. Then, it's every man for itself.
If you like the cast, you might want to give this one a shot. Adorable Bryce Dallas Howard takes the lead (and a convincing British accent) as the young girl banished to the forest who pretends to be a boy so no one will recognize her. Her traveling companions are Romola Garai and Alfred Molina, with a hairdo so ridiculous he doesn't even have to open his mouth to be the comic relief. Bryce's love interest, with such terrible eyesight and judgment that he can't recognize his girlfriend with curly, red tendrils falling out of her cap, is David Oyelowo. He has a feud with his brother, Shakespearean veteran Adrian Lester, and while on his own separate quest in the forest, he bumps into the meditating philosopher Kevin Kline. Kevin gets to recite the "All the world's a stage" famous monologue, but unless you're really paying attention, you might miss it.
Unless you're really paying attention, you might miss a lot, since this Shakespearean movie requires every ounce of concentration. There are no free passes, so unless you're fluent try something easier first.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Many of the camera movements are too fluid, creating a 'follow the bouncing ball' effect that might make you sick. Also, in the very end there's a huge camera spin. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"