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129 of 133 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best Shakespearean comedies done for film, June 6, 2003
Trevor Nunn's Twelfth Night sits up on the same pedestal as Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing. Not a suprise, either, given that both films came out of Branagh's Renaissance Films. Reset in the Victorian era, Nunn maintains the delicate balance of comedy and drama (much like Much Ado), carried out in one amazing cast. Nunn does a wonderful job of keeping most of Shakespeare's comedy in-tact, editing only when neccessary to appease a film audience (most noticeable in Viola's famous "I left no ring with her" monologue being broken up throughout the film). No member disappoints and each one excels in their own right. Helena Bonham Carter, queen of period films, plays an astounding Olivia with excellent timing. Imogen Stubbs, whom I've only seen play a small role in Sense and Sensibility, exceeds all expectations set for her in the role of Viola. And Ben Kingsley (yes, Ghandi), reminds us of his Royal Shakespeare Company roots as a multi-dimensional Feste. The score, unhappily available on CD (albeit Kingley's "The Wind and the Rain" is available on the CD collection "If Music Be the Food of Love: Shakespeare at the Movies"), is breathtaking and well-done, particularly for a play that includes so much music as a stage performance. It corrolates perfectly with the lush settings (often involving romantic sea-scapes and Victorian manor houses) and costumes. Perhaps the biggest disappointment about this film is that it's not available on DVD. However, it alone is reason enough for me to keep my VCR.
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109 of 113 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Cast and Direction Shed New Light on Shakespeare, November 21, 1998
By A Customer
Trevor Nunn's adaptation of "Twelfth Night" is a masterpiece of insight and nuance. Instead of simply playing up the obvious slapstick of this gender-bending comedy of mistaken identity, Nunn highlights the dark undertones of the plot which yield surprising depth and poignancy. Those familiar with the play will notice some alterations in the original text, but those who are new to Shakespeare will thank Mr. Nunn for making the story easier to follow and a pleasure to behold. For example, when Duke Orsino (Toby Stephens) utters the famous opening line of the play, "If music be the food of love, play on," ten minutes have already elapsed. But what takes place in those ten minutes sets up the plot beautifully and brings the characters to life. The story centers around two twins, Viola (Imogen Stubbs in a star-making performance) and Sebastian (Stephen Makintosh), who are shipwrecked and separated at sea, each fearing the other is dead. Viola washes up on the shore of a hostile country and disguises herself in her brother's clothes to avoid capture and keep his memory alive. The other two main characters, Olivia (Helena Bonham Carter), and Orsino (Toby Stephens), are similarly troubled. Olivia mourns her own brother's recent death and Orsino suffers passionate unrequited love for Olivia, who refuses to see him. Viola's male alter ego, Cesario, winds up in Orsino's court, becomes his best friend, and (here's the rub) romantic emissary to Olivia. What follows is a hilarious and poignant farce in which Olivia falls in love with Orsino's messenger, Cesario (Viola) who, under her disguise, is desperately in love with Orsino. Meanwhile, mischievous members of Olivia's household trick her arrogant butler, Malvolio (a brilliant Nigel Hawthorne), into believing that Olivia loves him, and another jealous suitor, the hapless Sir Andrew Agucheek (Nigel Grant), challenges Cesario to a duel. Through it all, the wry fool, Feste (Ben Kingsley), penetrates the confusion with a dry wit, a calming presence, and a surprisingly good singing voice(!). When Sebastian, a "dead ringer" for Cesario (Viola), finally arrives on the scene, the confusion rises to a fever pitch that only Shakespeare could unravel. Trevor Nunn has assembled a brilliant cast led by the astonishingly versatile Imogen Stubbs. As Viola/Cesario, Stubbs gives a richly nuanced performance which ranges from deep pathos to antic comedy. It's a shame that this intelligent, multi-faceted actress (who previously appeared in "Sense and Sensibility") doesn't get top billing for the film. This is not to say that the actress who does, Helena Bonham Carter, isn't fabulous in her own right. Ms. Carter displays prodigious comic talents in "Twelfth Night" and surely has the most expressive eyebrows in cinema. Her reaction to Sebastian's arrival is itself almost worth the price of admission. Ben Kingsley infuses the role of Feste with great humanity and warmth, and Toby Stephens is a handsome, noble Orsino. The cinematography is beautiful and Shaun Davey's musical score is a delight. In a play where Shakespeare included so many songs, Davey contributes music that fits perfectly with the Victorian setting of Nunn's adaptation. The way in which Nunn uses Feste's final song to tie up the loose ends of the plot is but one of the many little touches that make this "Twelfth Night" a joy to watch again and again.
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47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Present mirth hath present laughter......., July 7, 2000
How wonderful that I should happen upon this movie one early summer evening not so very long ago - and that it should brighten the wettest, most overcast June immemorial! Director Trevor Nunn set this Shakespeare play in the Victorian era, and his adaptation is overflowing with talent - Imogen Stubbs (Viola) shows herself to be a versatile actress who can brilliantly play this complex lead with ease! Also notable were Nigel Hawthorne (Malvolio), Toby Stephens (Orsino), Helena Bonham Carter (wonderful as Olivia, although I'd expected it as I've never seen her performances as anything less), Richard E. Grant (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), and Imelda Staunten (Maria) -- and Ben Kingsley (the fool, Feste) did such a magnificent job - and, incidently, he sings superbly - he would easily have stolen the show if it weren't for the flawless performances of the entire cast! I had to give it four stars instead of five because it was very hard to follow what was being spoken much of the time. I actually had to pull out my "Riverside Shakespeare" to follow what was being said. Much of this movie is verbatim directly from the play itself - which I must say endears it further into my heart. In the midst of a summer where, at least here in my little realm of the earth, it "raineth every day," a movie such as this eases the doldrums. This movie is a delight!
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