Featured Audience Ratings

• Martin B

  
  Here's one that snuck completely under my radar, probably because it was apparently made-for-HBO (which I don't have) and not released theatrically. I like Branagh, and I like Kline, but Bryce Dallas Howard in the lead? I'll pass... right? Well, I gave it a shot.… More
  Here's one that snuck completely under my radar, probably because it was apparently made-for-HBO (which I don't have) and not released theatrically. I like Branagh, and I like Kline, but Bryce Dallas Howard in the lead? I'll pass... right? Well, I gave it a shot. Kenneth Branagh has successfully returned to the lighter side of Shakespeare for the first time since 1993's <i>Much Ado About Nothing</i> (<i>Love's Labour's Lost</i> is better left overlooked). He again shifts the setting, this time to 19th century Japan. An odd choice, but it kind of works.. once you get used to it. The acting across the board is top-notch, and unlike some other Shakespeare adaptations, they all sound completely natural reciting the dialogue. I do have problem with them expecting us to believe the other characters actually thinks she is a man (when all she's done is change her clothes), but I guess that's just one of those things you have to overlook and suspend disbelief. As for Bryce, she could not have been more perfect in the role. She is undeniably charming, handles the part masterfully, and is by far the best thing about the film. Maybe it's time to overlook her history of bad Shyamalan films and watch where her promising talent takes her.

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]"As You Like It" starts with a palace coup resulting in the Duke(Brian Blessed) being deposed by his own brother(Blessed again), along with nearly all of his family. The new duke keeps his niece, Rosalind(Bryce Dallas Howard), around to keep his… More
  [font=Century Gothic]"As You Like It" starts with a palace coup resulting in the Duke(Brian Blessed) being deposed by his own brother(Blessed again), along with nearly all of his family. The new duke keeps his niece, Rosalind(Bryce Dallas Howard), around to keep his daughter, Celia(Romola Garai), company. To keep themselves busy, the cousins watch a wrestling match where Rosalind and the victorious wrestler, Orlando(David Oyelowo), develop a mutual infatuation. But Rosalind soon becomes too popular for her own good and is exiled, too. Celia decides to leave with her cousin since they cannot easily be parted, bringing the fool(Alfred Molina) along for laughs...[/font] [font=Century Gothic]Based on the William Shakespeare play, "As You Like It" proves the old adage that any movie with Brian Blessed in dual roles cannot be entirely bad. In fact, there is a most formidable cast that also includes Janet McTeer, Kevin Kline and Adrian Lester. But director Kenneth Branagh does not exploit the unique setting of tariff ports in 19th century Japan(actually every other possible setting for Shakespeare has already been used) to its full advantage.(Hopefully, he was not just inspired by the early wrestling scene...) Still, this is a gorgeously photographed and entertaining movie about love trumping material possessions every time. But love can be a possession like every other object. And remember that falling in love is the easy part. [/font]

• Yinalí R

  
  The awful confusion of Shakespeare's novel itself is a confusion, imagine a movie about it...

• David S

  
  For an overview of the play and some decent performances this is fine but isn't up to the standards of Branagh's 'Hamlet' or 'Much Ado' (I haven't seen 'Henry V' or 'Love's Labours'). His concept of setting it in a Japanese… More
  For an overview of the play and some decent performances this is fine but isn't up to the standards of Branagh's 'Hamlet' or 'Much Ado' (I haven't seen 'Henry V' or 'Love's Labours'). His concept of setting it in a Japanese culture doesn't really work , especially since there are so few actual japanese actors. Also the dramatic beginning, although interesting as a scene setter, is far too drataic and doesn't work in what should essentially be a comedy. The actors all do very well with their parts and make sense of the script (there is little actual verse in the play so it isn't a difficult one to follow) but you can't help wishing that such a good cast were given a more substantial Shakespeare play to perform. Interestingly the epilogue is cleverly done and is better than most of the rest of the film. If only Branagh had pursued this style rather than the other.

• Sunil J

  
  It started off promising but just got dull.

• Dimitris S

  
  I thought at first this was a deteriorating prank.Prithee be monsieur Branagh,for your academic hostility turned boomerang on your facade.Whereas there's love in the air,nectar onto the skin,passion is traveling on different routes.What's the secret ingredient to amuse the… More
  I thought at first this was a deteriorating prank.Prithee be monsieur Branagh,for your academic hostility turned boomerang on your facade.Whereas there's love in the air,nectar onto the skin,passion is traveling on different routes.What's the secret ingredient to amuse the untrained Shakespearean audience with a mediocre play by the bard?Don't ask me,ask Kline and Garai who seemed to be the 2 individuals who obviously acted.

• Marion R

  
  This is suppose to be a Shakespearian comedy, but it's not all that funny. It was very pretty to look at, the cinematography was great.

• Leo L

  
  This has always been a favorite of mine from the Shakespeare collection. The beautiful and fascinating tale of Rosalind. This film adaptation was brilliant and cultural! Loved the music! Loved the scenery!

Read all 8 featured audience ratings