I enjoyed the heck out of this one.
It’s hardly Shakespeare (only about 1/3rd of the script is here) but I’ve seen this play properly done and left feeling very meh about it.
I love the mash up musical thing. I love the slapstick. I think both of those are 100% in keeping with the spirit of the play.
This isn’t a serious work, we are not watching Hamlet. The worst thing for me about this film is that it’s poor box office take meant that my dreamed of Branagh Shakespeare opus was curtailed.
The critics were pretty split on the 2000 Love’s Labor’s Lost. I agree that it was uneven. I found the lack of singining and dancing skills on display here to be disappointing and occasionally jarring.
But!
It worked. The whole thing an homage in honor of 3 things beloved of Branagh.
Golden age Hollywood,
Vaudeville,
And Musicals.
He clearly adores these things and they are lovable in his production. I’d argue that despite the heavy script editing, these honorees have a completely justified space in any Shakespearean comedy production. They fit with the spirit of the play and despite a few uninspired notes I think this is a wonderful version of Love’s Labor’s Lost.
It’s a nothing burger of a story. 4 dudes swear a vow of chastity.
Four smart beauties apear.
Dudes are conflicted, hijinks ensue, some extra singing and dancing and mistaken identities occur and then happy end happy end.
I have not found myself smiling so much while watching entertainment in a long time.
I hummed Gershwin for days and thought about people who I thought should see this one.
Special shout outs to Branagh whose delivery is impeccable and to Nathan Layne who embodies every great thing about a fool and somehow avoids every off putting thing about that type. Tricky!
Love’s Labor’s Lost four stars for sweet fun.
Mom score - 0
There are no moms but two dads here.
Quel surprise!