I love a good Shakespeare movie, and this is one of my favorites. It's what I call a "soul-movie". Most of my family thinks it is just weird, but my sister and I love it to death. Pretty much every character is a lot like me--most of them run around shouting and hugging and smacking each other. And at the end, they all dance.
It is set in 19th century Japan, which is colorful, unusual, and beautiful. It abridges some of the lines, but other than that, it is exactly like the play. Patrick Doyle composed the simply glorious music. I am in happy possession of the soundtrack. : )
Bryce Dallas Howard is one of the loveliest actresses ever, in my humble opinion. She's absolutely stunning as Rosalind and I want her hair so. bad.
Romola Garai is Celia, Rosalind's cousin. She's random, strange, and dramatic, falls in love in an instant, steps off of a rock into the arms of a complete stranger, and... is a lot like me.
And then there is David Oyelowo as Orlando. I love him, that's all. For those of you who have seen it--one of my favorite parts is when he screams "I almost die for food, so let me have it!" I irrationally adore that for some reason.
It's definitely quirky, but I think it's beautiful and hilarious and it's the kind of quirky that I love. You should give it a try. Other than a little Shakespeare bawdiness, and a truly frightening sumo-wrestling scene (I'm scarred for life), it's quite clean. : )
My wise and literary-minded sister is hosting a Shakespeare week, and I'm joining. : ) If you want to read a deep review on As You Like It, be sure and head over to her blog. Also, there is a scrumptious and not-to-be-missed Shakespeare giveaway.
