As frequently happens with "Twelfth Night," the director and screen writers extensively revamped Shakespeare's script. The concept, of a nineteenth century wartime background, is not inconsistent with the play, but costuming, lighting and cinematography combined to make many scenes excessively dark, almost soupy. The comedians, Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, were decidedly unamusing throughout most of their scenes. Ben Kingsley is unexpected as Feste, the jester, but provided a quality performance although not a sprightly one. Bright spots came from the interaction of "Cesario" and Orsino, and a bright performance by Helena Bonham Carter as Olivia, who played mournful sister, besotted lover and imperious noblewoman with equal brilliance. Her reaction shots when the existence of the twins comes out in (the play's) Act V Scene 2 raised the production single-handedly from a mediocrity to an reasonably good show. In all, this is the best ""Twelfth Night" currently available. The problems are all in the production end, while the performances are, if not always great, certainly up to what should be expected of a fine - if sometimes inappropriate - cast.
Review of Twelfth Night
