The pretentiousness of the lead actor was suffocating. It sounded like he memorized all the words and recited them correctly. The movie was absolutely UNWATCHABLE!!! Some of the characters, notably the Falstaffian type, were trying too hard to be "cute". Edward de Vere would be rolling over in his grave. I have seen my share of movies adapted from the plays of Shakespeare and this one stunk up the whole room. The production design, additionally, seemed to have the action take place in the 17th or even 18th century, even though Edward de Vere was in Rugasa (read:Dubrovnik, aka the unnamed city in the play) around 1575. All in all, a thorough disappointment.
