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Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart ... see more see more... , Anna Friel , Christian Bale , Dominic West , David Strathairn , Sophie Marceau , Roger Rees , Bernard Hill , Bill Irwin , Sam Rockwell

With William Shakespeare now a hot commodity at the box office (and his body of work conveniently out of copyright), the usual trickle of film adaptations of the Bard's work is becoming a small flood,... read more read more... and director Michael Hoffman has assembled a cast of leading stage and screen actors for this whimsical film version of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. This interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream moves the action to Tuscany near the turn of the 20th century, as both mortals and enchanted creatures deal with romantic problems. Among the flesh-and-blood crowd, Duke Theseus (played by David Strathairn) is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta (Sophie Marceau), while having to counsel Egeus (Bernard Hill), who has promised the hand of his daughter Hermia (Anna Friel) to Demetrius (Christian Bale). Hermia, however, wants to elope with her true love, Lysander (Dominic West), while her best friend Helena (Calista Flockhart) is mad about Demetrius. Meanwhile, fairies living in the forest are watching these romantic misadventures. Puck (Stanley Tucci) serves up love potions that mix and match the already confused lovers, while the Queen of Fairies, Titania (Michelle Pfeiffer), and her King, Oberon (Rupert Everett), have to deal with a group of hapless actors rehearsing a play in the forest -- one of whom, Bottom (Kevin Kline), has fallen under Puck's spell and becomes Titania's new lover. Will anyone end up with the person they really love? Who will get hurt riding their bicycles in the woods? Will Helena sit down and eat a square meal? Director Hoffman, a longtime Shakespeare buff, appeared as Lysander in a production of the play while a college student, and has since spearheaded a campaign to build a new $3 million theatre for his alma mater in Boise, ID. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

53% liked it

73,131 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

78 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: Michael Hoffman

Release Date: May 14, 1999

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DVD Release Date: April 17, 2001

Stats: 2,026 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,026)

  • MrMarakai
    June 2, 2011
    MrMarakai
    As a rule, I dont like to watch any William Shakespeare adaptations until I have read the play first. Having just finished reading this classic comedy/love story, I was eager to see it on screen like I am of any of the screen adaptations of his wonderful works. This however, isn'... read moret as good as the great master deserves.
    While preparing for the wedding of Duke Theseus (David Strathairn) to Hippolyta (Sophie Marceau) a group of actors including Bottom the Weaver (Kevin Kline) rehearse an amature play for the forthcoming betrothal while forbidden lovers Hermia (Anna Friel) and Lysander (Dominic West) run away together, pursued by Demetrius (Christian Bale) and Helena (Calista Flockhart). Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Faerie King Oberon (Rupert Everett) wants to get at his wife Queen Titania (Michelle Pfeiffer). He dispatches malicious 'sprite' Puck (Stanley Tucci) on a mission to humiliate his Queen. En route Puck can't resist messing with the mortals lost in the woods also, ensuring all sorts of confusion.
    Director Michael Hoffman's take transports us from ancient Greece to late-19th-century Italy (complete with newly invented bicycles) and I have to say, it works. The sets and costumes are absolutely stunning, drawing you into the magical and mystical land of the faeries. He addresses it with the same playful tone that Kenneth Branagh captured for his adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing" and also like that, uses the same mix of both American and British actors who are perfectly suited to their roles. It's a lush and extravagant production, infused with Shakespeare's humour but something doesn't quite click. The mock Pyramus play at end is way overlong and almost grinds the film to halt. The only positive is that this is when the underused Sam Rockwell gets a chance to contribute something, but by then it's too little too late. As David Strathairn's 'Theseus' says around this time "No epilogue I pray you..." if only he'd said this 15 mins earlier, we could have had a satisfying ending.
    It's classic Shakespeare that, shockingly, hasn't had a decent adaptation yet. This is the best so far, but for fans of the great playwrite only.
    It captures the look but doesn't quite capture the heart.
  • TomBowler
    April 10, 2011
    TomBowler
    A great take on a Shakespeare classic. Full review later.
  • FrizzDrop
    November 24, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Anyone can reinvent the Bard and go willy nilly with their own interpretation, but this production kept most of the message intact. With excellent casting and memorable scenes, this is a version that I adhere to as a success.
  • superjoker1
    March 6, 2010
    superjoker1
    More visually pleasing than Avatar,this production adds more emotion, depth, and fun to the story than past productions, and there is a combination of good music and fine acting, most notably by Stanley Tucci.
  • Gx7
    September 2, 2008
    Gx7
    Re-rated: They shouldnt have used William Shakespeares name on the US title if they altered the story, even if it was just a minor adjustment. Im not quite sure how to rate this really, this is my most favorite play from Shakespeare, and Im not sure if its cuz I know the c... read moreharacters from front to back with my eyes closed or if its the overall production (very untraditional) thats gotten me all unhinged with this version...

    Clearly, I love the story, but my quandry is with some of the major cast members and their acting of the characters theyve played. This film showed a lot of each of the actors ability (at that time) to capture a role and portray them well.

    - Although Stanley Tucci acted puck pretty well, I cant wrap my head that he looks older than Oberon.
    - Rupert Everett sort of played a pretty shoddy role of Oberon.
    - Wasnt contented with Anna Friels acting as Hermia.. I wonder if she actually knew her role?
    - Dominic West - Couldve done a better job playing Lysander..

    Good Points: Kevin Kline did a particularly awesome job with Bottom, and Pfeiffer understood who Titana really is and portayed the role really, really well. Flockhart proved that she can really act, did a great job in playing Helena! Sam Rockwell - I am most impressed with his acting, he gave us a glance that he can deliver different emotions ferverently, I feel that he is quite underrated by most, I love this guy!

    The film gets a good bump up from a 3 star rating due to the ending. But Halmark, this couldve been better.
  • puffchunk
    October 4, 2007
    puffchunk
    Shakespear was a fruit.
  • RossCollinsUK
    March 17, 2007
    RossCollinsUK
    Kevin Kline is the definitive Bottom - a classic performance... and there's Ally McBeal too!
  • ceWEBrity
    January 21, 2007
    ceWEBrity
    Perhaps it was because I was only 14 when I watched it, but I found this to be dull as dirt.
  • mjgildea
    December 6, 2006
    mjgildea
    It wasn't too bad but who really cares?
  • fb1360693664
    April 30, 2011
    fb1360693664
    Though the acting is right on, and the enchanting direction of the director is showing very well, the chemistry between the actors takes this all star cast down a level.

View All A Midsummer Night's Dream Reviews

Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

I remain skeptical about the ability of even the best American actors to read Shakespeare's lines without giving the impression that they are enduring very painful cultural root canal work. Full Review

Jeff Millar
July 21, 2005
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

If there is sacrilege afoot, I'm not enough of a scholar to spot it. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
November 6, 2002
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

The film is never a chore to watch, but others have done better by the Bard. Full Review

(CNN.com) Paul Clinton
June 23, 2002
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com

Unfortunately, despite the wonderful locations, sets, costumes, and strong acting, this adaptation has a strange lack of magic or chemistry between players. Full Review

Rick Groen
March 19, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Hoffman charts a middle course, and travels it quite well -- his version is neither as elaborately baroque as Max Reinhardt's 1935 film treatment nor as starkly sexual as Peter Brooks's celebrated 197... Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

After watching William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, I'm left with more admiration than fairy dust. Full Review

Peter Stack
January 1, 2000
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

A playful, sexy piece of work -- just what the Bard might have conjured up for a movie adaptation of his beloved spring-fever comedy. Full Review

Kevin Maynard
January 1, 2000
Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz

Overheated, tedious!

Emanuel Levy
January 1, 2000
Emanuel Levy, Variety

Intermittently enjoyable! Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

This Midsummer Night's Dream shows how high the bar has been raised by Shakespeare in Love. The allure and cleverness of that film, not to mention its far more Shakespearean spirit, make it a hard act... Full Review

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A Midsummer Night's Dream Trivia

  • In "The Dead Poet's Society", the only character to actually die in it kills himself after he performs the leading role of a play. What is the name of the Shakesperian play he took part in?  Answer »
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