This is William Shakespeare as written by Thomas Hardy - a dour affair that dwells longer in tragedy than any semblance of comedy. Still, perhaps that is the way Shakespeare's last days were, although a little more levity would not have been unwelcome. It's a reasonable film - there are some very affecting moments - but it's not as tightly written as it could have been.
Shout by Stephen CampbellBlockedParent2022-10-15T20:08:36Z
A strangely formless and insubstantial love-letter to Shakespeare
A pleasant enough film obviously born from great reverence, and, unsurprisingly, brilliantly acted, it's a curiously formless piece of work, clumsily episodic in structure, and relatively free of conflict, focusing instead on non-incident and trees silhouetted against picturesque sunsets. By the very nature of the years during which it takes place, Ben Elton's screenplay is full of interpolations and suppositions, some of which are interesting, but many of which don't work. There's a much better film hidden in the contours of All Is True, a darker story examining Shakespeare's psychology; his inability to process the death of his son, his guilt over the fact that he put his career ahead of his family, his possible misogyny, his obsession with his legacy. These issues are in the background, but they are not the focus, and whilst All Is True is perfectly fine, it's also perfectly forgettable.
For my complete review, please visit: https://boxd.it/DIc65