One year, I went to see a play production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, by Pork Chop Productions. It was a fantastic play. The actors flung themselves around the stage like their lives depended upon it (which, for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, perhaps it did.) and they put every effort they could into making their characters manic, obsessed fanatics who had no idea what was quite happening. Hamlet became truly deranged and a figure who scared you probably as much as he scared Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The King and Queen became nearly completely incomprehensible within their thick accents and impossible Shakesperian Dialogues. ENERGY was their catch call.
How I wish the guys who made this film had learned the same lessons!
In one respect, it is absolute folly to critique this movie. The genius who wrote the script, Tom Stoppard, wrote this movie adaption and directed it too. But good writer does not equal good director, even if it's your own work you're directing.
The film lacks energy. I wonder, a lot, if perhaps Tom Stoppard over-rehearsed his actors. On stage, rehearsal is very, very important. The audience gives the actors life and spontaneity. But in film, it is equally important not to over rehearse. Mistakes are to be avoided and too many can be costly, but generally a mistake can be reshot. Also, there is no audience to give energy to the actors, and over rehearsal can kill a lot of that energy.
Whatever the cause, the actors (With the exception of the player, and all the best scenes have him in them.) come across as listless and nearly dead. In a movie called "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" you wouldn't think that'd be so much of a problem. But you'd be wrong.
How I wish the guys who made this film had learned the same lessons!
In one respect, it is absolute folly to critique this movie. The genius who wrote the script, Tom Stoppard, wrote this movie adaption and directed it too. But good writer does not equal good director, even if it's your own work you're directing.
The film lacks energy. I wonder, a lot, if perhaps Tom Stoppard over-rehearsed his actors. On stage, rehearsal is very, very important. The audience gives the actors life and spontaneity. But in film, it is equally important not to over rehearse. Mistakes are to be avoided and too many can be costly, but generally a mistake can be reshot. Also, there is no audience to give energy to the actors, and over rehearsal can kill a lot of that energy.
Whatever the cause, the actors (With the exception of the player, and all the best scenes have him in them.) come across as listless and nearly dead. In a movie called "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" you wouldn't think that'd be so much of a problem. But you'd be wrong.