MissSimonetta The play itself is not one of Shakespeare's better efforts, though I liked it well enough. I am currently taking a class on Shakespearean tragedy and history, so it was nice to break from all of that with such a lightweight piece. There's lots of humor as well as interesting discussion on the nature of love. Unfortunately, the ending comes close to marring everything good about the play. That ending is, as others have noted, awful. How anyone could forgive a "friend" like Proteus, who not only jeopardized his best friend's romantic relationship and job, and abandoned his girlfriend without a moment's pause, but also attempted to sexually assault someone, is beyond me.Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable movie, for all the source material's flaws. All of the actors are charming and funny. They're so wonderful that they almost sell the ridiculous ending. The whole production is stage-bound, especially when we get into the woods, which are deliberately artificial. The musical interludes are beautiful to listen to.Overall, this was a good film version of the material, one that I would certainly give another watch.

Alain English "The Two Gentleman of Verona" is one of Shakespeare's much better comedies, full of the kind of witty wordplay and lively characters that frequently appear in them.The plot is essentially simple: Proteus (Tyler Butterworth) is in love with Julia (Tessa Peak-Jones) and Valentine (John Hudson) is in love with Silvia (Joanne Pearce). Complications arise, however, when Proteus falls in love with Julia...There are some good performances here from everyone involved. Butterworth and Hudson are great fun as the two leads, and handle the play's darker elements very well. The portrayal of the two servants Speed and Launce (Nicholas Kaby and Tony Haygarth respectively) are also spot-on, although the latter does tend to confirm Shakespeare's generally patronising attitude in his plays towards the working classes. David Collings as brilliant as ever as irksome fop Thurio.The theatricality in the production (with a scene in a forest not shot on location but quite evidently in a studio) actually serves the comical story much better than realism.A good one to get warmed up on Shakespeare.

Veilchen "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" is one of Shakespeare's weaker plays and when I read it I thought the turn of the action was psychologically so improbable that it couldn't be pulled off credibly. However, I find the acting in this film is excellent and especially the final scene is very well done. I really enjoyed watching it. Maybe the contrition of Proteus could have been a little stronger but I think there really was a convincing show of shame and regret when the meeting with Valentine made him realize how grossly he had betrayed his friend. There is a fine balance of tragical and comical elements throughout the play and the setting is lovely. I was particularly impressed by the performance of Tony Haygarth. His Launce is funny but not exaggeratedly clownish. The play cannot even begin to compare with masterpieces like "Twelfth Night" oder "Much Ado about Nothing", but this adaptation for the screen is great.

Ross My rating isn't for the story for which I'd give only 6 but for the gorgeous settings and good acting - how the actor could act stupid, selfish Proteus so well is worth watching by itself! I've been rewatching this wonderful series - and watching for the first time some I missed when they were shown on TV originally. The story is good enough to enjoy tho' not one of the Bard's best by any means. I really couldn't though agree with one reviewer who suggested the lines by the lovers (and therefore I suppose the whole play) should have been played for laughs because I love the language and the style and I really don't want to see any of the plays presented as complete farce. Added to which I don't find the others in the play farcical nor the story itself. The problem lies in Proteus being so intolerable immature, stupid and selfish. But I can imagine the viewer in question becoming frustrated at Proteus' persistent stupidity and wondering if farce might have helped any viewer to calm down rather than want every few minutes to give him a slap for his bad behaviour. Certainly he doesn't suffer enough at the end when he's forgiven, and that means the viewer doesn't feel much pleasure at his redemption. He doesn't seem to deserve it, nor Julia who's suffered quite enough from his ill behaviour. I wonder what her father and mother will think of all this and especially of Proteus, when she finally goes home with her regained lover? But doubtless the Duke will deal with the parents tactfully?Thank goodness Sylvia has the sense not to listen to nasty Proteus but to realise immediately that he betrayed the trust of his friend and her love. One can accept Proteus can't help his lusts and when forcibly parted from Julia, this very silly young man immediately swoons over another lovely girl who's nearby instead of afar. The worst moment is when he declares all's fair in love but in terms that are thoroughly insulting to Valentine, Julia and Sylvia too. Valentine banished behaves sensibly and shows he's worthy of Sylvia, hence the Duke forgives him for his attempt to make off with her secretly seeing that was to save her from the unwanted husband the Duke is trying to force on her. Deceitful Proteus though is far too easily forgiven by Julia even though he has hurt her over and over as she, disguised as a page, has to listen to his passionate declarations to Sylvia and dismissal of his past love. A slap across his face (or several during the play) would have done him a world of good. I suppose he's forgiven because humans can't control love - it strikes where it will as Cupid in this production demonstrates now and again. These days people expect a bit more contrition, I think. Still, the actor does his best with his moment of self-discovery and shame.So, a very satisfying production visually which makes up a great deal for Proteus being such a completely stupid and deceitful twerp and a certain lack of satisfaction at the end. Well worth watching.