Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
The lovely Hermia is to wed Demetrius, but she truly cares for Lysander. Hermia's friend, Helena, is in love with Demetrius, while other romantic entanglements abound in the woods, with married fairy rulers Titania and Oberon toying with various lovers and each other.
Michael Hoffman's adaptation of Shakespeare's classic comedy features a stellar ensemble cast (Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Stanley Tucci) who deliver strong performances that elevate the material. The lush Tuscan setting adds visual charm but the cinematography is competent rather than exceptional. The plot faithfully follows Shakespeare's beloved comedy of romantic confusion and fairy mischief, which is inherently charming but well-trodden in adaptation. The Victorian-era transposition gives it some distinction but doesn't radically reimagine the source material. The resolution is pleasingly romantic but conventional for the genre.