Measure for Measure (I) (2019) User Reviews

A good adaptation of the William Shakespeare play

[kaneeddy · 7/10 · 6 October 2019]

Measure for Measure does a lot of things right, starting with very good performance's from the whole cast especially Hugo Weaving, Harrison Gilbertson and Megan Hajjar, who all add a lot of emotion and put a large amount of passion in the film and it most definitely reflects well with their performances. The writing for the most part is well done, and you can definitely respect the talent of writers, Paul Ireland and Damian Hill for condensing a 4 hour Shakespeare play into a 2 hour adaptation with its own unique spin. The whole decision of making the film have an Australian underbelly, featuring two opposing gangs was unique and in that you get to explore the nitty gritty side of Melbourne at times which is very interesting to see. The shots of the city landscape during the film are also well done and at times can feel like a love letter to Melbourne.

This film is not perfect however, and I think some of it has to come from the source material, there are elements to the film that seem very sappy and cheesy at some points. Also the opening scene has some themes that make the film very intense and adds some serious weight whilst also speaking on some issues that Australia has faced when it comes to Crystal Meth, then it takes a complete 180 and becomes a love story for a good portion of the film which makes it hard to adjust to these differences. The film takes a good amount of time to find its footing, however once it did the film became very enjoyable to watch.

Overall I had a good time with Measure for Measure and it was an excellent experience to see this at the Brisbane International Film Festival and go to a Q & A with Director Paul Ireland, I just wish it had found a more harmonic balance between the gang and romantic themes in the story, especially in the beginning of the film.

More cheese than a Bega factory

[anthonyjlangford · 4/10 · 17 September 2020]

Adaptation or not, you have to present material to an audience that is palpable. The source material is really irrelevant.

The presentation, in both script and direction feels amateurish and cliché. The crime element has been done to death. The romantic angle is so poorly presented, especially the early montage, complete with cheesy music. The drone shots are overdone and the direction is stale overall. The only thing that saves this film is the obvious class of Hugo Weaving, though the film is not worthy of him. Megan Smart tries. Nice to John Brumpton here too.

Australian funding bodies seem to have no interest in bringing in an audience. They all want to create some cultural art that reaches no one, made by the middle to upper classes, telling working class stories. It's a joke. We need original stories that can also entertain. You can create cultural significant stories while embedding in well crafted entertainment, such as in Mystery Road or crime tales like The Boys and Animal Kingdom. Surely there are also other stories worth telling?

The Australian Film Industry seems to make films for itself, trying to 'educate' society from the outside, writing their scripts in Albert Park cafes, wanting to change the world with their colossal egos, thumbing their stuck-up noses at audiences. At least, that's what they're funding. Plenty of good scripts, no doubt, never see the light of day.

How much talent has Australia lost to overseas? Not just actors but writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, the works. We need to invest money in actual talent and foster them from the ground up and lop off the head of nepotism. Too many people have given up because they can't catch a break while 'important' crap like this keeps getting made. Decent Australian films seem so far and few between.

Maybe the concept sounded delicious over a second bottle of red and a seafood linguine in a South Melbourne restaurant but all they delivered was a dried-out cheeseburger.

Soap Opera Cringe

[kittymaloona · 1/10 · 4 April 2022]

WHY WHY WHHYYYY do so many Australian films end up seeming like just another episode of Home and Away? Did at some point the wild success of Australian soaps just paralyse cinematic creativity and the cliches and tropes submerge film making in a top loader of soapsuds?

The older actors speaking with a bizarre drawn out drawl that is probably meant to suggest world weariness but merely sounds as though the vinyl is slowing down. Cringe-making teen love affairs so full of lingering gazes your eyes scrinch up and your finger reaches convulsively for the forward ten seconds button. That kitchen scene with the brother and sister so excruciating I actually blushed watching it. Endlessly long face shots of comical emotion switches. Over-acting! Under-acting! More over-acting! Numbingly facile scenarios played out with lazy predictability.

I watched most of this. I tried. I really did.

Watch Home and Away. At least it's not pretending to be something.

Highly convincing, Intense and Ultra Violent.

[roger-99-171599 · 8/10 · 30 August 2020]

A visionary, modern take on the Shakespeare's novel of the same title, actor-turned-director Paul Ireland's sophomore feature is an intricated multi-character study set on a complex apartment dealing with a spiral of ethnic violence.

Hugo Weaving gives a stunning performance as a gangster longing for retirement, when one of his buyers goes on a violent rampage around the complex, shooting and killing several immigrants, as he became intolerant for non-English speakers. Known as "The Duke", Pearce's strong yet fragile, about to collapse presence, is the core of the film, as most of the interactions and arrangements made throughout the narrative are connected to his wish and power over the gentrified community: during the shooting the lives of a street musician named Claudio and a conservative Muslim girl named Jaiwara are romantically crossed, as they engage on an adventurous, forbidden coming of age relationship. The lovebirds are immediately disapproved by her family, especially her very dangerous and merciless brother who operates another criminal "fraternity" and is The Duke's most prolific rival. As The Duke steps outside town to restore his health, the business' command is given to Angelo, but his temperamental, out-of-control behavior keeps The Duke's eyes over the tumultuous situations, as he still intervenes even from a distance. The racial and religious conflicts continue to rise among them, betrayal, conspiracy and the unjust arrest of Claudio, who sees himself in jail accused of something he didn't do.

Filled with convincing performances from a brilliantly synched cast, impressively shot, and structured with an enigmatic, charismatic sense of intimacy, Ireland conceived a knockout epic-style urbane tale about masculinity, loyalty, principles, solidarity and rage, as well as a beautifully intense forbidden love story.

It's an efficient, never exhausting, multi layered and well-done modern thriller. Can't wait to see what Mr. Ireland will do next.

MfM: It's a Snoozefest

[TheTruthofItIs · 1/10 · 10 October 2020]

No one should have to TRY to get through a film and halfway through this one I called time of death. This is actor-turned-director Paul Ireland's second film and he has a lot to learn about directing including pacing. I defy, yes defy you to stay awake during this lamentable snooze-fest. The overall story isn't even interesting concerning petty drug distribution and a star-crossed inter-racial/religious romance. There's just been this whole crop of wasted-effort films being released recently like this including The Faceless Man, Widow's Point, Alpha Code, The Argument, Legacy of Lies, etc. The only good film recently released is "Odd Thomas". Try that one out fellow movie watcher.

Really good film, deep yet subtle.

[ar_brierley · 8/10 · 16 January 2021]

I really enjoyed this film. Had no idea what to expect going in, so was pleasantly surprised by the really good acting (Hugo Weaving is always a joy to watch!) . and the female lead in particular is amazingly good!! If you like really thoughtful, interesting films, then I can highly recommend this one.

Shakespeare would be spinning in his grave!

[david-rector-85092 · 1/10 · 5 October 2020]

I could not get through this film. The dialogue and the acting were terrible. Hugo Weaving is one of our very best, but even he couldn't deliver the lines with any conviction. What I did sit through, I found this murky, unpleasant and lacking in believability. If you want to see a great Aussie film with Hugo Weaving - 'Hearts & Bones' - much under appreciated film from 2019. I am over the over supply of bleak, nihilistic Australian films that our industry produces. And don't get me started on the horror genre!

Good luck to those who actually get to the end of 'Measure for Measure'

Did not finish

[o_s_k_r · 3/10 · 12 February 2024]

I realize this is an adaptation but there's some big problems. Firstly why does the cop automatically presume that the crazy meth killer is somehow attached to the drug dealer? There's loads of places to get meth, there's loads of dealers in Melbourne. Guy could have got it from anywhere. Even if it came from the Hugo Weaving character and his son all they have to do is deny it.

Second problem: How is the Hugo Weaving character - apparently a small-time dealer living in a housing estate - have cops that work for him? Especially a detective? I've never heard of any crime figure that powerful choosing to live in a housing estate.

Anyway I didn't get much beyond that. As soon as the two lovers went on a tour of "Melbourne Cliches" I found it a bit cringey and went to sleep. I may give it another go. I do like to support the local projects.

All he had to do was embrace her faith

[teachlearnadvisor · 2/10 · 15 January 2021]

Sorry but Islam is not Romeo and Juliet, all the boy would have to do is become Muslim and there would be no problems.

If he really loved her he would, so what absolute secularist propaganda garbage.

Not everyone's cup of T

[dchallenger-50819 · 10/10 · 5 January 2021]

Excellent movie, some violence but fits the story line in a modern day love story

Brilliant Australian movie but not for everyone

[smuir-44137 · 8/10 · 25 January 2021]

Has so many layers & diverse and the Aussie cast portray their characters brilliantly, yes the few violent scenes are indeed extreme for a few short moments , step away from analysing it to align as an adaptation and enjoy it has a film and it digs deep and those that do that will be locked in from start to finish

Bice and clean

[erkanfaz-289-774486 · 8/10 · 30 April 2021]

Despite the bad comments here, the movie has a clean and clear flow. All roles were played well. My favorite part of the movie; there is no exaggeration in any scene. It definitely deserves a chance to watch.

Good adaptation, lacking more Shakespeare

[nobregas2000 · 8/10 · 1 April 2021]

I enjoyed this film. There is Shakespeare in it. I would I preferred an end with a happy duke.

Good but not great

[pub-21 · 8/10 · 28 February 2021]

I love a good Aussie flick and this is one of them. Not a all time top ten but this will be remembered for some great acting from the two stalwarts HW & JB alongside some newer actors whom will no doubt be better know down the track. Great effort by all involved in production and special Kudos to director Paul Ireland, well done.

Whilst there are a few boring and drawn out moments M4M is overall good entertainment and that's what I like in a movie.

8.5 for me.

Don't know what it is about

[Gordon-11 · 7 June 2020]

I don't really understand the plot, as the accents are hard to understand, and the foreign language parts aren't subtitled. The production is good though.