Review of Love's Labour's Lost (2000) by Stuart K — 13 Apr 2009

Kenneth Branagh took on one of William Shakespeare's lesser-known plays for this film, but with this one, he did it as a bright and breezy homage to the old screen musicals of the 1930's. It makes for odd bedfellows, but it actually works, the result is actually one of the most underrated films of the past decade, and a unique experience to boot.

Set in the Spanish region of Navarre in 1939, it has King Ferdinand (Alessandro Nivola) taking a sabbatical from romance, and spend 3 years in studying, as do his 3 courtiers Berowne (Branagh), Longaville (Matthew Lillard) and Dumaine (Adrian Lester), although Berowne believes it will not last.

And he's right, when The Princess of France (Alicia Silverstone), and her 3 handmaidens Rosaline (Natascha McElhone), Maria (Carmen Ejogo) and Katherine (Emily Mortimer). Before you know it, the vow to stave off women is broken and love and music is in the air.

It's not perfect, but it's something very different indeed, and it is an uplifting and enjoyable experience, enhanced by good songs sung well by the cast, beautiful cinematography by Alex Thomson, and some good support from Nathan Lane, Richard Briers, Geraldine McEwan and Timothy Spall!! :D.