Kevin's Watch

This Ben Elton written film, directed and starring Kenneth Branagh, gives a fictional account of Shakespeare's retirement from the London theatre back to Stratford-upon-Avon, and tells a tale of the bard's domestic tribulations in trying to slot himself back into the family from whom he had been so long distanced. Co-starring Judy Dench as the long suffering Anne Hathaway, we are treated to a melancholy but sympathetic portrayal of two lies gone awry in the pursuit of fortune, social mobility and artistic endeavour, as he attempts to reconcile himself and his family to what he at least sees, as the necessary sacrifices they have made in order to secure their position.

Replete with nods to the known facts about Shakespeare's life (and they are few) the film is a joy to anyone with a smattering of knowledge about the man, as well as delivering some fantastic examples of the writing for which he is justly celebrated. The story is by no means a happy one, but it has great heart and all of the actors rise to the challenge of depicting the prosaic happenings of a life steeped in legend with aplomb. In particular Sir Ian McKellen gives a great turn in as The Earl of Shaftesbury, and the scene in which the two meet to reminisce (subsequent to the publication of the Sonnets and to whom iirc they were dedicated) is perhaps the best in the film.

Beautiful in it's execution, both to see and to listen to, this film probably won't get much in the way of high recognition as a box office sensation - it's simply too non mainstream for that - but I think it's a little classic in it's own right and if you are a lover of the man's genius I urge you to search it out.

Sounds like a must see Thank you Pete .. will keep my eye out for it 👁

Erratum; Forgive me my shocking memory. Of course it was the Earl of Southampton who was portrayed by McKellen, not Shaftesbury. Also the Sonnets are dedicated to an unknown individual, W H, but Southampton was most likely 'the fair youth' toward whom they are directed and who has a fling with 'the dark lady' (also unknown) which causes the narrator, if not the author in reality, so much concern.

I have a great love for all period films .. and this has some of my fave actors in and look forward to seeing it.

Will definitely check this out. Always thought Branagh was a good Shakespearian actor, (loved Much Ado About Nothing) so this should be amusing.

--A

Yes he is

peter wrote:Co-starring Judy Dench as the long suffering Anne Hathaway

They couldn't get the actual long suffering Anne Hathaway for the part of the long suffering Anne Hathaway? Too, too bad.

Touche Wayfriend lols

I really like Ben Elton stuff, so I'm in if I can remember.

By the way - heard a great exchange in an episode of Fleabag that I'm enjoying way more than I should.

"What is your favorite period film?"
"Carrie."