William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Cast & Crew

Kevin Kline
Nick Bottom

Michelle Pfeiffer
Titania

Rupert Everett
Oberon

Stanley Tucci
Puck (Robin Goodfellow)

Calista Flockhart
Helena

Anna Friel
Hermia

Christian Bale
Demetrius

Dominic West
Lysander

David Strathairn
Theseus

Sophie Marceau
Hippolyta

Michael Hoffman
Director

William Shakespeare
Writer (Play)

Michael Hoffman
Writer (Screenplay)

Nigel Goldsack
Associate Producer

Michael Hoffman
Producer

Arnon Milchan
Executive Producer

Leslie Urdang
Producer

Ann Wingate
Co-Producer

Simon Boswell
Original Music

Vincenzo Bellini
Non-Original Music

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Critic Reviews for William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

Audience Reviews for William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

• Oct 27, 2012

  Not highbrow -- just weird.
  Christian C Super Reviewer
• Apr 10, 2011

  A great take on a Shakespeare classic. Full review later.
  Thomas B Super Reviewer
• Mar 14, 2011

  As a rule, I dont like to watch any William Shakespeare adaptations until I have read the play first. Having just finished reading this classic comedy/love story, I was eager to see it on screen like I am of any of the screen adaptations of his wonderful works. This however, isn't as good as the great master deserves. While preparing for the wedding of Duke Theseus (David Strathairn) to Hippolyta (Sophie Marceau) a group of actors including Bottom the Weaver (Kevin Kline) rehearse an amature play for the forthcoming betrothal while forbidden lovers Hermia (Anna Friel) and Lysander (Dominic West) run away together, pursued by Demetrius (Christian Bale) and Helena (Calista Flockhart). Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Faerie King Oberon (Rupert Everett) wants to get at his wife Queen Titania (Michelle Pfeiffer). He dispatches malicious 'sprite' Puck (Stanley Tucci) on a mission to humiliate his Queen. En route Puck can't resist messing with the mortals lost in the woods also, ensuring all sorts of confusion. Director Michael Hoffman's take transports us from ancient Greece to late-19th-century Italy (complete with newly invented bicycles) and I have to say, it works. The sets and costumes are absolutely stunning, drawing you into the magical and mystical land of the faeries. He addresses it with the same playful tone that Kenneth Branagh captured for his adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing" and also like that, uses the same mix of both American and British actors who are perfectly suited to their roles. It's a lush and extravagant production, infused with Shakespeare's humour but something doesn't quite click. The mock Pyramus play at end is way overlong and almost grinds the film to halt. The only positive is that this is when the underused Sam Rockwell gets a chance to contribute something, but by then it's too little too late. As David Strathairn's 'Theseus' says around this time "No epilogue I pray you..." if only he'd said this 15 mins earlier, we could have had a satisfying ending. It's classic Shakespeare that, shockingly, hasn't had a decent adaptation yet. This is the best so far, but for fans of the great playwrite only. It captures the look but doesn't quite capture the heart.
  Mark W Super Reviewer
• Jan 12, 2011

  Though the acting is right on, and the enchanting direction of the director is showing very well, the chemistry between the actors takes this all star cast down a level.
  

  Bryce I Super Reviewer

William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Quotes

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