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A Midsummer Night's Dream
1999 116 min Italy, United States of America, United Kingdom PG-13 0+
★6.7
Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
Director: Michael Hoffman
🎭 Based on
«A Midsummer Night's Dream»
byWilliam Shakespeare
Trailers
Description
The lovely Hermia is to wed Demetrius, but she truly cares for Lysander. Hermia's friend, Helena, is in love with Demetrius, while other romantic entanglements abound in the woods, with married fairy rulers Titania and Oberon toying with various lovers and each other.
Budget:
$11M
US Gross:
$16.07M
Worldwide:
$16.07M
Starring
Kevin Kline
Actor
Michelle Pfeiffer
Actor
Rupert Everett
Actor
Awards
1 win & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
This 1999 adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream is widely praised for its lush visual aesthetic, strong ensemble performances, and effective musical score. While some viewers find the plot sluggish and the modernized theatricality polarizing, most see it as a charming and spirited interpretation of Shakespeare's classic.
| Production | The production design, including the enchanted forest sets and elegant costumes, creates a vibrant and immersive atmosphere. | |
| Score | The musical score successfully blends classical elements with the film's whimsical, magical tone. | |
| Acting | The star-studded ensemble cast is largely celebrated for their energetic portrayals, particularly Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, and Kevin Kline. | |
| Acting | The performance of Christian Bale and Dominic West is frequently cited as feeling stiff or unnatural compared to the rest of the cast. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is a subject of debate, with some viewers finding the narrative sluggish or confusing until the final act, while others find it consistently engaging. | |
| Direction | The decision to lean into a heightened, theatrical style is appreciated by some as a love letter to the stage, but criticized by others as causing the emotional stakes to feel forced. |