Review of Were the World Mine (2008) by Vmedia Berkeley Ca. S — 20 Nov 2008

This great new Indi opens this weekend in NY LA and SF and its a great new take on Midsummers Nigh Dream - with a new company of actors.

This far surpassed HSM3 in any form. Tom Gustafson finally made his short "Fairies" into a full-scale musical in "Were the World Mine," the script is clever as it is based in an all boys prep HS.

Tanner Cohen has an amazing singing voice, so it isn't hard to believe that he would captivate the school's star rugby player, the handsome Nathaniel David Becker. And Cohen, like Shakespeare's puckish sprite, explodes all stereotypes, managing to be at once masculine and fey. Robie brings the right note of sardonic humor to her witchlike role. Zelda Williams (Robin's daughter) adds considerable spunk as Timothy's best friend. Christian Stolte makes a perfect Shakespearean fool as the macho coach turned into a lovesick ass.

The rich full cinematography belies the modest budget. Lots of movies take no chances and still manage to fail. This picture dares to summon the spirit of the Bard as well as the ghost of Arthur Freed and succeeds as a rousing, warm-hearted feeling.

Take a chance on this film and see it on the big screen. It was a hit at the Frameline film fest in SF and held many honors as the audience fav in other film fests earlier this year.

Vince.

Vmedia Berkeley.

*THR.