Thursday, March 3, 2011

As You Like It


I love a good Shakespeare movie, and this is one of my favorites. It's what I call a "soul-movie". Most of my family thinks it is just weird, but my sister and I love it to death. Pretty much every character is a lot like me--most of them run around shouting and hugging and smacking each other. And at the end, they all dance.

It is set in 19th century Japan, which is colorful, unusual, and beautiful. It abridges some of the lines, but other than that, it is exactly like the play. Patrick Doyle composed the simply glorious music. I am in happy possession of the soundtrack. : )


Bryce Dallas Howard is one of the loveliest actresses ever, in my humble opinion. She's absolutely stunning as  Rosalind and I want her hair so. bad.


Romola Garai is Celia, Rosalind's cousin. She's random, strange, and dramatic, falls in love in an instant, steps off of a rock into the arms of a complete stranger, and... is a lot like me. 



And then there is David Oyelowo as Orlando. I love him, that's all. For those of you who have seen it--one of my favorite parts is when he screams "I almost die for food, so let me have it!" I irrationally adore that for some reason.


It's definitely quirky, but I think it's beautiful and hilarious and it's the kind of quirky that I love. You should give it a try. Other than a little Shakespeare bawdiness, and a truly frightening sumo-wrestling scene (I'm scarred for life), it's quite clean. : )


My wise and literary-minded sister is hosting a Shakespeare week, and I'm joining. : ) If you want to read a deep review on As You Like It, be sure and head over to her blog. Also, there is a scrumptious and not-to-be-missed Shakespeare giveaway.

17 comments:

  1. I tried watching this movie a long time ago and only made it about a third of the way through, but perhaps I will give it another try. I am in love with both Bryce Dallas Howard and Ramola Garai as actresses too! They are wonderfully fab....and beautiful too!!

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  2. I've seen that movie before, but have never watched it. I love a good movie like that as well as Romolai Garai!:) {One of my all time fav. actors}.
    I am a bit skeptical, since there did seem like there were a bit inappropriate content in it...hmm...I'll have to give it a try, though!
    Thanks for the review!
    Blessings,
    Grace

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  3. Oh I love that movie (and the play)!! It is so beautiful and I love how your review touched on all its delightfulness! And yes, it has some awesome lines
    "know you not that I am a woman? When I think, I must speak!" lol

    The more I read on your blog, the more I like it. It is so fun to read!

    Blessings,
    ~ Liz

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  4. That cover art is STUNNING.
    I think it odd - English geek that I am - that I didn't even know about this movie until your sister's post. And also...I'm writing quite the novel over there and may have frightened her a bit. A rousing discussion of Shakespeare gets me going. See? I'm an English geek. :)
    I will be tracking down this movie and I will peep through my fingers should I see anything resembling sumo action.

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  5. Looks like a lovely movie! I am putting on my to watch soon list :)

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  6. I'd love to watch this. It seems like an interesting twist of "As You Like It". That's funny. It's set in Japan. Oh, and it has Romola Garai!

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  7. This seems like a great movie and she's so pretty!

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  8. That looks gorgeous! I'm gonna have to check it out!

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  9. My best girl had me over recently and we watched this drinking red velvet tea... except for the scars I suffered over the sumo wrestling scene, I adored it!! Bryce Dallas Howard is a favorite for sure. :) And I want the soundtrack! Really Bad!

    -Brianne Danae

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  10. I love this movie! It makes me laugh and the rest of my family scratch thier heads and ask me millions of questions!

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  11. I love Shakespeare, he's amazing. Thank you for this review i want to see it now! :)

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  12. We would love to have you visit our blog! rubieslikeruth.blogspot.com

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  13. I will definitely have to check out that soundtrack. I haven't heard much of Doyle's work, but I've really enjoyed what I've heard.

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  14. Oh, both those actresses are GORGEOUS! I *love* Bryce's curly red hais...adorable.

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  15. Oh I LOVE this movie but I haven't watched it in years...thanks for the reminder! :)

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  16. Hey, Polka dot! My mom and I were thinking about throwing a japanese-themed party for my 14th birthday and thought this would be an a.w.e.s.o.m.e movie to watch with my friends. But you see, I couldn't find any online, christian reviews, so I was wondering, do you think it's "okay" for a bunch of 14 year old girls to watch?

    With Love,
    Hannah :)

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