Directed by
Kenneth Branagh
101 minutes
Rated PG
Reviewed by
Bernard Hemingway
All Is True
Synopsis: It is 1613 and William Shakespeare (Kenneth Branagh) recognized as the greatest playwright of the age returns to his home on Stratford-on-Avon. Haunted by the death of his only son Hamnet, some years earlier, he tries to mend his relationships with his wife, Anne (Judi Dench), and adult daughters, Susanna (Lydia Wilson) and Judith (Kathryn Wilder), the latter who was a twin to Hamnet. In so doing he uncovers secrets and lies within a family which he has too long neglected.As you would expect from Kenneth Branagh who has adapted several of Shakespeare’s plays for the screen, All is True, an empathetic imagining of the Bard’s last years, is graced by fine performances. The script by Ben Elton is articulate and sensitive and although there must be a good deal of speculative material in it, it always feels historically authentic, a feeling enhanced by top drawer art direction and production design and the seductive interior and exterior cinematography
The film takes its name from the alternative title of Shakespeare final play ‘Henry VIII’ at a performance of which some opening titles tell us, a canon mis-fired causing the Bard's renowned Globe Theatre to burn down. It is used somewhat ironically here however as Will comes to realize that where his family at least is concerned, very little is actually true. The discovery of this provides the main axis for the narrative although there are other threads, notably the rise of Puritanism which embroils his daughter Judith and Will’s relationship with the Earl of Southampton (Ian McKellen) apparently put about by some at the time to be the inspiration for Shakespeare’s love poetry.
Branagh gives himself the lead role but this is no vanity project. His performance is restrained and thoughtful, giving us a reflective Shakespeare who has put his pen away and now must turn his attention to more pressing matters. As his wife, Dench is, needless to say, superb as the unlettered Anne Hathaway whilst both Wilson and Wilder make their presences felt as the two very different daughters. Frankly I could have done without McKellen and his ill-fitting perruke. A lesser known actor would have been more suitable. Elton’s script to tends to labour some points, notably Shakespeare’s idolization of his untimely deceased son and Susanna’s limited social options as a woman in Elizabethan England.
Notwithstanding All is True is a lovingly-crafted, modestly-scaled film that provides an engaging take on the life and legend of William Shakespeare.
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