Love's Labour's Lost (2000)

An update of the classic Shakespeare story, director Kenneth Branagh shot this movie like a classic 30s musical. Love's Labour's Lost tells the story of four best friends who swear off love.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Kenneth Branagh (screenplay)

Stars:

Alessandro Nivola, Alicia Silverstone, Natascha McElhone

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alessandro Nivola	...	The King (Ferdinand)
Alicia Silverstone	...	The Princess
Natascha McElhone	...	Rosaline
Kenneth Branagh	...	Berowne
Carmen Ejogo	...	Maria
Matthew Lillard	...	Longaville
Adrian Lester	...	Dumaine
Emily Mortimer	...	Katherine
Richard Briers	...	Sir Nathaniel
Geraldine McEwan	...	Holofernia
Stefania Rocca	...	Jacquanetta
Jimmy Yuill	...	Constable Dull
Nathan Lane	...	Costard
Timothy Spall	...	Armado
Anthony O'Donnell	...	Moth

Storyline

The King of Navarre and his three companions swear a very public oath to study together and to renounce women for three years. Their honour is immediately put to the test by the arrival of the Princess of France and her three lovely companions. It's love at first sight for all concerned followed by the men's highly entertaining but hopeless efforts to disguise their feelings.

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Plot Keywords:

love | france | princess | oath | friend | 

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Taglines:

A New Spin on the Old Song and Dance

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Genres:

Romance | Comedy | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sensuality and a brief drug reference

Details

Country:

UK France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

Peines d'amour perdues

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$24,496 (USA) (9 June 2000)

Gross:

$284,291 (USA) (7 July 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé Pictures International, Intermedia Films, Arts Council of England

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mercade was offered to Stephen Fry.

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Goofs

During the tearing of the contract, Kenneth Branagh mouths Matthew Lillard's lines along with him.

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Quotes

Boyet: If my observation, which very seldom lies by the heart's still rhetoric disclosed with eyes, deceived me not now, Navarre is infected.
The Princess: With what?
Boyet: With that which we lovers entitle affected.
The Princess: Your reason?
Boyet: His face's own margin did quote such amazes that all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes. I'll give you Aquitaine, and all that is his, an you give him for my sake but one loving kiss.
The Princess: Come, to our pavilion. Boyet is disposed.
Boyet: But to speak that in words which his eyes hath disclosed. I only ...
[...]

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Connections

References Bathing Beauty (1944)

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Soundtracks

"There's No Business Like Showbusiness"
by Irving Berlin
Performed by Nathan Lane and chorus

User Reviews

An odd little movie

Boy, Kenneth Branagh will try anything, won't he? Even infusing Shakespeare's comedy with a string of Gershwin-era songs and dances. But while his Much Ado About Nothing was a frothy, wonderful gem, Love's Labour's Lost . . . just didn't quite work. It's a noble try, though.

Whether the concept itself is flawed is up for debate. (Surely some Shakespeare purists were up in arms when this came out!) What cannot be argued, however, is that Branagh's cast is unable to pull this off. They simply are trying to hard at what should come naturally, and the audience can't help but notice. His direction also sinks the film at various points, and as a result, the film jerks from scene to scene, from song to song, ultimately culminating in a collection of bits that never gel into a unified whole.

That's not to say that the movie doesn't have its strengths. There is a sense of fun that pervades the film which is quite pleasant. The costumes and art direction are appropriately light and beautiful, and some of the comedy moments are quite fun. Each actor also has his or her strength. Alessandro Nivola (Laurel Canyon, Mansfield Park) is the best singer, Adrian Lester (Primary Colors) the best dancer, Branagh the best actor, and Matthew Lillard (Scooby-Doo) . . . sure is tall. The supporting cast (Nathan Lane, Alicia Silverstone, Emily Mortimer, et. al.) each do their best to rise above the film's shortcomings, as well.

Ultimately, the audience ends up really trying to like this movie, but the flaws are too great to dismiss. 6/10 stars.