Missy - As You Like It ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

 As You Like it was another comedy and as light and fluffy as you could wish for. Its the story of lovers and disguises and an evil duke and good wins the day.

We saw the 2006 Branagh version. 

It was well cast and very well acted. It had some of my favorite Shakespearean actors in it and was filmed in a cozy and pretty landscape. I do wish that they had tried this in Japan if they wanted to pursue that vibe though.

I wonder, a lot, about Branagh's choice to set it in Japan. Mostly it wasn’t Japanese enough to justify that decision, although my vote is still out on the Sumo.

It felt a little too British colonial orientalist for my comfort. Very Mikado vibes.

Also the camera filters were bad or maybe they were shooting on video? This was an HBO production. I wished for less grainy golden and more crisp HD or at least more clarity.

I wound up with one very strange highlight of the viewing.

My dog was riveted by this production.

It was bizarre. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of it. When I started it she ran into the room and fixated on the screen.

At one point she walked out to check something then turned right around and trotted back in. She got sleepy halfway through and laid down on her bed and watched the rest with one eye open.

I was slightly less enthralled.

There were some real strengths here though.

I found it impressive how straight they played it. The Rosalind as a boy trope was particularly jarring. She looked even less like a boy than Viola in Twelfth Night, but they were committed.

It was a little like watching a Superman movie where the pretense of glasses is all it takes for our suspension of disbelief. It’s fun and I’m glad they stuck to their guns on the interpretation. I do enjoy, but feel a little let down by, the modern camera winking of a lot of productions. If a thing is preposterous let it be that. You don’t need to draw attention to the fact that you the production company are also aware that it’s preposterous.

This entire play, like most comedies, is fully preposterous and it’s fun that way.

Kevin Klein was the highlight for me, close runner ups go to both Bryce Dallas and David Oyelowo for their Rosalind and Orlando  they were really enjoyable and I don’t know either of them from other works.

The play is not thought provoking in and of itself but it’s fun and this was a very well done version  

As You Like It - 3.5 stars for high watchability

Mom score- 0 no moms here this is another father daughter play