In the Bleak Midwinter . Tucson Weekly . 03-07-96

In the Bleak Midwinter

DIRECTED BY: Kenneth Branagh

REVIEWED: 03-07-96

The latest dose of Shakespeare from writer/director Kenneth Branagh, who doesn't actually appear in the film. This black and white, low-budget offering chronicles the rehearsal and performance of Hamlet by a band of idealistic, misfit actors. The players are all quite self-consciously kooky and they all have personal "issues" that are miraculously dissolved on opening night. The catalogue of things that go wrong in the course of the production is exhaustive, and sometimes watching these things go wrong can be kind of funny. The claim made on the poster, that this is "Spinal Tap for the Shakespearean set" is probably overly optimistic, but at times this film does manage to succeed in pulling off a little highbrow humor. Unfortunately, recurring waves of sentimentality and a few annoying performances rob this film of its clout.

--Stacey Richter

Other Films by Kenneth Branagh
Hamlet

Film Vault Suggested Links
An Ideal Husband
A Christmas Story
Children of the Revolution

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