Missy - Henry IV pt 2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

A reminder about where we are in the Henriad. 

Richard II is deposed, his cousin Henry Bolingbrook is now King Henry IV and his son Hal is a profligate and idle prince. 

Henry IV pt 2 has even less going on than Henry IV pt 1. 

This play see Hal’s transformation completed. He leaves his frivolity behind him and become, what the Teaching Company lecture pointed out, the ideal Protestant King. He is now full of honor and justice and upright daring do. 

But, we don’t really get to see any of that until the last 5 minutes of the play. 

This is, once again, a play about Falstaff. The problem for me with that is that Simon Russell Beal who plays him here, does not play him funny. 

He has 3 modes: mercurial and semi charming, grasping and desperate, pitiful and repulsive.

I concede that all of those traits exist fully in Falstaff but without the humor for which this part is famous, he is not, to me, lovable. 

Beal got a BAFTA for this performance so clearly other people found this interpretation moving. Not I. 

His vulgarity was without redemption and I found myself not minding when “I know you not old man.” hit.

That’s the strongest line in the play. 

It’s an iconic Shakespeare moment. 

I’m a little mad about it actually. 

Without a compelling reason to care for Falstaff his banishment is nearly meaningless. 

I’ve seen some Falstaff that were 100% clown and those aren’t better but this version left me a little bored and a little annoyed. 

I hope Mariam enjoys it more. 

We went back and forth on which version to watch. The list we are working from recommended My Own Private Idaho and I love that version but it’s not as true to the text as all that. 

In point of fact if you don’t know you are watching a Shakespeare play here it would blow right by you. 

I’m putting it on the, let’s watch this one later list with Ran. 

I am glad we are skipping over to 12th Night next. It will polish off the Falstaff and clear the pallet. 

I’m super looking forward to the Branagh Henry V though. It’s one of the very best. 

Henry IV pt 2 - 3 stars for getting up to Henry V and for cinematography. 

Mom score - 0 for no moms