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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (1990)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
DVD Cover
Writer/Director:Tom Stoppard
Starring:Gary Oldman, Tim Roth, Richard Dreyfuss
“Life in a box is better than no life at all, I expect. You'd have a chance, at least. You could lie there thinking, "Well. At least I'm not dead.”-Rosencrantz
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is an existential comedy that challenges the intellect and revels in amusing. Directed by Stage and Screenwriter Tom Stoppard (Brazil, Empire Of The Sun, His Dark Materials) the film is theatrical and witty.
You should recognize the names Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; they are two bit parts that appear briefly as comic relief in the Shakespearean masterpiece Hamlet. This work deals with what these characters were doing before and after their appearance in the play.
Wandering aimlessly through Ye Olde English countryside, oblivious to the fact they are fictional characters who are scripted. The pair must play out their destiny and meet the doomed king.
“What's the first thing you remember after all the things you've forgotten?”-Rosencrantz
Why are we here, what are we doing, where are we going? Frustrated and confused, they can not deviate from their fate, pondering the nature of reality and without free choice, having only words to guide them.
“Words. Words. They're all we have to go on"-Guildenstern
John Doe says:
i was amazed when Shakespeare in Love (also written by Stoppard) was lauded with praise while this superior effort remains obscure.
After countless screenings I still always find something completely new to amuse me every time I watch this black comedy.
The script is nothing short of genius, taking one of the great works of theatre and deconstructing it, reassembling it as an alternate contemplation of life, death, the universe and everything.
“All your life you live so close to truth it becomes a permanent blur in the corner of your eye. And when something nudges it into outline, it's like being ambushed by the grotesque.”- Rosencrantz
You can probably tell this will not appeal to everyone, it’s certainly a select group that will appreciate the scripts dark, philosophical comedy that is balanced by charming enthusiastic performances from all the cast.
Gary Oldman (Leon, Chattahoochee, Sid and Nancy) and Tim Roth (reservoir Dogs, Little Odessa, The Hit) worked on stage together frequently in their early years and appeared on TV and film several times. (eg: Meantime)
Bouncing off each other with familiarity and anticipating each others every move, they are a joy to watch. They dodge and parry, serve and deflect each others loaded dialogue and bring the complex but fine tuned comedy to life. A comedic duo to match wits with Matthau and Lemmon, Laurel and Hardy etc
Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, Close Encounters, Always, Tin Men, Stakeout) excels in the role of The Player, originally to be filled by Sean Connery. He is a travelling troupedor armed with metaphor and sub text that enlightens and vexes our two hapless heroes.
“We're actors! We're the opposite of people”-The Player
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is a one of a kind experience that I embrace with both arms and cherish. Give it a chance and those who enjoy films that work on several levels and worship the spoken word will find an inner sanctum guaranteed to stimulate the mind and funny bone.
“We are tragedians, you see? We follow directions. There is no choice involved. The bad end unhappily, the good, unluckily. That is what tragedy means.”-The Player
The DVD:
Originally released in pan n Scan, the film finally gets a widescreen transfer in Australia. The new DVD released last month is still extras free, but is nicely packaged and well priced.
“Life in a box is better than no life at all, I expect. You'd have a chance, at least. You could lie there thinking, "Well. At least I'm not dead.”-Rosencrantz
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is an existential comedy that challenges the intellect and revels in amusing. Directed by Stage and Screenwriter Tom Stoppard (Brazil, Empire Of The Sun, His Dark Materials) the film is theatrical and witty.
You should recognize the names Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; they are two bit parts that appear briefly as comic relief in the Shakespearean masterpiece Hamlet. This work deals with what these characters were doing before and after their appearance in the play.
Wandering aimlessly through Ye Olde English countryside, oblivious to the fact they are fictional characters who are scripted. The pair must play out their destiny and meet the doomed king.
“What's the first thing you remember after all the things you've forgotten?”-Rosencrantz
Why are we here, what are we doing, where are we going? Frustrated and confused, they can not deviate from their fate, pondering the nature of reality and without free choice, having only words to guide them.
John Doe says:
i was amazed when Shakespeare in Love (also written by Stoppard) was lauded with praise while this superior effort remains obscure.
After countless screenings I still always find something completely new to amuse me every time I watch this black comedy.
The script is nothing short of genius, taking one of the great works of theatre and deconstructing it, reassembling it as an alternate contemplation of life, death, the universe and everything.
“All your life you live so close to truth it becomes a permanent blur in the corner of your eye. And when something nudges it into outline, it's like being ambushed by the grotesque.”- Rosencrantz
You can probably tell this will not appeal to everyone, it’s certainly a select group that will appreciate the scripts dark, philosophical comedy that is balanced by charming enthusiastic performances from all the cast.
Gary Oldman (Leon, Chattahoochee, Sid and Nancy) and Tim Roth (reservoir Dogs, Little Odessa, The Hit) worked on stage together frequently in their early years and appeared on TV and film several times. (eg: Meantime)
Bouncing off each other with familiarity and anticipating each others every move, they are a joy to watch. They dodge and parry, serve and deflect each others loaded dialogue and bring the complex but fine tuned comedy to life. A comedic duo to match wits with Matthau and Lemmon, Laurel and Hardy etc
Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, Close Encounters, Always, Tin Men, Stakeout) excels in the role of The Player, originally to be filled by Sean Connery. He is a travelling troupedor armed with metaphor and sub text that enlightens and vexes our two hapless heroes.
“We're actors! We're the opposite of people”-The Player
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is a one of a kind experience that I embrace with both arms and cherish. Give it a chance and those who enjoy films that work on several levels and worship the spoken word will find an inner sanctum guaranteed to stimulate the mind and funny bone.
“We are tragedians, you see? We follow directions. There is no choice involved. The bad end unhappily, the good, unluckily. That is what tragedy means.”-The Player
The DVD:
Originally released in pan n Scan, the film finally gets a widescreen transfer in Australia. The new DVD released last month is still extras free, but is nicely packaged and well priced.
"Hey, Ive just come up with a theory. What goes up must come down, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.What do you think?"
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Still, it seems like one that I'd like...
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Its a smart, witty comedy, based on the stage play of the same name.
Enjoy