Robert Halmi has made his living since the mid-1990s by making big-budget miniseries based on classic stories that focus on lavish, spectacular special effects. Most of the ones I have seen ("Merlin," "Alice in Wonderland," "A Christmas Carol") were good, though one ("Animal Farm") was pretty bad. Halmi's latest project, "Don Quixote," does not have especially great special effects, but that in no way detracts from the film's enjoyment. Both hilarious and even somewhat touching, this adaptation of Cervantes' famous tale of the madman who fancies himself a knight errant is highly entertaining and fun to watch. John Lithgow is fine as the Man of La Mancha himself, and most of his encounters with supposed giants and other enemies are very funny. Bob Hoskins, as his sidekick Sancho Panza, is hilarious. And plus, we have the beautiful Vanessa Williams to perk things up every now and then as Quixote's fantasy lady, Dulcinea. Yes, most of the Spanish characters speak in British or American accents, but does it really matter? Nothing, not even the lack of brilliant effects, make this film any less entertaning or enjoyable.
Review of Don Quixote
