Source: Imdb
The bold title of this drama about Shakespeare’s later life appears a bit misplaced as this film fails to make it credible. Drifting a bit rudderless for a good while before finally picking up some kind of a story thread, the film couldn’t decide whether to make this about suppressed gay love, women’s rights or good, old-fashioned family drama. The characters were two-dimensional and though all actors did their best – in Ian McKellen’s brief but very enjoyable guest performance, you could literally see and hear the love for Shakespeare shining from his eyes - the scrip was just not very good. Structured a bit like a play, I would think it belongs on a stage. Indeed they used some very, very long takes that showcased the competent cast, but made it feel like watching theatre (to be fair, though, those scenes were so well-acted that they did not require editing on the basis of creating tension.)
Visually, the production looked pretty, but not entirely realistic. A strange colour palette was used with odd gradients. The costumes were beautiful, but strangely formal. What annoyed me was that their effort to use mostly natural lighting – everything was lit with a lovely play of light and shadows – led to an utterly unrealistic overuse of candles and open flame.
The score was probably the most beautiful thing about the production. Patrick Doyle outdid himself.
Overall, 3/5.
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