Customer Reviews

A Midsummer Night's Dream

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having been present for most of the shooting of this movie, I am at once a biased reporter and a privileged witness. In fact a fair bit of what appears on the screen passed through my camera.

Shakespeare's story has been in production more or less continuously for over 400 years. It has its own life, incarnating upon innumerable stages through countless casts and directors. It has lived into the time of motion pictures, appearing in diverse real and constructed locations.

This version unfolds in a fairyland lovingly evoked in rural New Mexico. It burrows in caves, clings to cliffsides, dances in forests. If you want your Shakespeare blocked out on stage, this one is not for you. If you love the story and the permutations of it, you'll enjoy this telling.

If you are dedicated to extreme low-budget movie production or aspire to such work, the piece will be both inspirational and instructive. It demonstrates how craft, imagination, skill and patience can work magic from almost nothing - especially in comparison to the production budgets of today's super-glossy "real" movies.

As is often the case with bare-bones productions, sound quality suffers at times. A few lines are hard to understand, especially given the unfamiliar language and phrasing. But the players ARE acting. If your ears didn't catch some words their body language conveys mood and meaning.

Occasionally a performer or interaction falters and I wish there had been another, better take. But this happens also on stage, where there are no retakes. In these bits momentum is quickly recovered...the ball may be fumbled but it is never dropped.

Story and locations are well seen but it is evident that this is a digital video production shot on locations, mostly by available light. It is far from studio gloss and I believe that's a good thing. The show has just enough DV home movie quality to where we have no doubt that these performers are real people in real places, telling this story, drawing us deeper and deeper into its humor, beauty and wisdom. No small thing.

Time and again the story rises to a magical plane - notably in the Fairies' Lullaby, in Bottom's transformation and his capture by Tatania. Oberon's lair, Titania's fury, the sonambulastic dance of those two. Hermia and Helena's bewilderment and rage. The finale. For all its humble origins there's potent cinema here.

I have some reservations about Bergstrom's use of overlaid titles but the device is employed sparingly and in a consistent fashion. As a filmmaker I find myself pondering this element, anticipating that a response will someday appear in my own work.

Heather Costellos's perfermance as Hermia, Sam Bensusan's Bottom, Rory Gregory's Changeling, Becca Anderson as Puck - all stand out in my mind among the large, focused cast who gave a great deal over a long time to gift us with this playful play.

The score and musical performances by Joseph Rivers are potent assets. A world-music flavor floating in today's world, it maintians a wonderful 17th Century mood, sustaining our "Dream" without ever becoming bombastic. Songs by Maria Casler from the original Virus Theater production just melt my heart every time.

At 157 minutes this is a long show. It rewards repeated viewing.

This version of a Midsummer Night's Dream is very funny and cute. The girls adored it, because it had fairies and such... they also loved Puck. The story line holds true for a child's version, so that you can enjoy it too. It will entertain all of your family...not only the kids... if you have children under 12, (especially girls) buy this version. Our girls were mesmerized, and did not fall asleep even though it was late when they watched it. Funny, entertaining and full of morals. Great story for kids!

This Midsummer Night's Dream will surprise and delight you. The directorial choices of Bo Bergstrom will make you marvel at the richness of his homespun production AND wonder why conventional films are so conservative.

There is so much more texture that could be explored that most directors, in their slavish thrall to narrative, simply ignore. Notable exceptions are Julie Taymor and Peter Greenaway. Bergstrom's MND is a lot of fun. With the accessibility of effects in software editing programs why not explore the possibilities so the film becomes more painterly. The altered palette in the dance between Titania, Oberon and the changeling is really beautiful as is the music and the chorus work. The blurry distortions of faces adds to the psychological POV of a character. Bergstrom uses font play and graphic inserts to reiterate the script. "What fools these mortals be" and "You minims...you acorn" etc. are highlighted and often tied back to the titles.

I enjoyed the concept/settings: caves, New Mexico national park woods and the deserted industrial site. Theater has used off-gender casting to great effect and so does Bergstrom.

Don't resist the spell. May you keep reason and love in your company.

A micro-budget production, and a charming bit of Americana. It's filmed in the wilderness, which offered some beautiful shots. The acting, on the other hand, is suburban in scope, starring everytown's local acting troupe, but scores some laughs. Don't expect the RSC, it's amateur fun.

The fairy scenes are lovingly composed, a real delight. The whole production is safe for children. Four stars, grading on a steep amateur curve, the mechanicals were that much the funnier for it.

Shakespeare most famous comedy, "Midsummer Night Dream" narrated through the directing lenses of Bo Bergstrom's camera and the talented Virus Theater actors' interpretation is filled with fun, romance and mischief. The superb acting and the director's skilful framing of nature virtually moves the viewers into a world of fairies, royalty and romance. If Shakespeare could see this film, he will be very satisfied with both Bergstrom's directing and Virus Theater's actors' fine and unique interpretation of his romantic tale.