Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Kevin Kline | ... | Nick Bottom | |
Michelle Pfeiffer | ... | Titania | |
Rupert Everett | ... | Oberon | |
Stanley Tucci | ... | Puck | |
Calista Flockhart | ... | Helena | |
Anna Friel | ... | Hermia | |
Christian Bale | ... | Demetrius | |
Dominic West | ... | Lysander | |
David Strathairn | ... | Theseus | |
Sophie Marceau | ... | Hippolyta | |
Roger Rees | ... | Peter Quince | |
Max Wright | ... | Robin Starveling | |
Gregory Jbara | ... | Snug | |
Bill Irwin | ... | Tom Snout | |
Sam Rockwell | ... | Francis Flute |
Shakespeare's intertwined love polygons begin to get complicated from the start--Demetrius and Lysander both want Hermia but she only has eyes for Lysander. Bad news is, Hermia's father wants Demetrius for a son-in-law. On the outside is Helena, whose unreturned love burns hot for Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander plan to flee from the city under cover of darkness but are pursued by an enraged Demetrius (who is himself pursued by an enraptured Helena). In the forest, unbeknownst to the mortals, Oberon and Titania (King and Queen of the faeries) are having a spat over a servant boy. The plot twists up when Oberon's head mischief-maker, Puck, runs loose with a flower which causes people to fall in love with the first thing they see upon waking. Throw in a group of labourers preparing a play for the Duke's wedding (one of whom is given a donkey's head and Titania for a lover by Puck) and the complications become fantastically funny. Written by Lordship <lordship@juno.com>
Though some critics have dumped on this film, I was charmed by it. The movie literally sparkles. The settings are full of rich colors and magical lighting. The romantic classical music is all well chosen to help induce the hypnotic or dreamlike qualities. And the cast is an utter delight.
This is a fluffy cloud of fairy dust -- just as Shakespeare intended.