I really really wanted to like this film but I suppose since I'm not a huge fan with Shakespeare, it made it difficult for me to enjoy it and the fact the storyline should change with Imogen Stubbs' character falling in love with Helena Bonham Carter's character instead. Maybe if this wasn't Shakespearean or if this wasn't the old traditional "straight" movie you normally see around, I would've enjoyed the movie a lot more..

After having watched a movie about twins I sit down and write a rant about another movie, based on a Shakespearian play, which is about twins. However, while the confusion and the comic element of mistaking identical twins does arise at the end, the fact that the main character is one of a twin only becomes relevant at the end. The comic element of the main plot (as opposed to the plot involving Malvolio) regards a woman disguising herself as a man and becoming the servant of Duke Orsino, and when she becomes his confidant, she falls in love with him, but cannot respond without giving away who she really is.The play that I read in university was As You Like It, and this play is sort of a mix between As You Like It and Comedy of Errors. The heroine, Viola, is shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria and decides to disguise herself as a man for her own protection (nothing to do with transgender desires as some want to put it). While in service to the Duke, he gets Viola to attempt to court Olivia however Olivia (who also believes that Viola is a man) falls in love with him. This gets even more twisted when Sebastian, Viola's twin brother, arrives and Olivia, believing him to be Viola, marries him.This particular version of the play is well done, though there are a lot of additions, and the scenes are changed about to make it flow better on the screen. I should not suggest that the creators decided to add to Shakespeare as the only additional dialogue is at the beginning where the scene is set. However scenes are moved and merged to make the play more adaptable to the big screen, The main tension is between Orsino, who is in love with Olivia, and Viola, and then there is Olivia who is in love with Viola, who does not realise (as does Orsina) that Viola is a woman. It appears that the clown does, but if he does, he is not letting on. The play climaxes with Sebastian and Viola reuniting, and Malvolio being released.One should mention the Malvolio subplot though. While all of the romantic action is going on, Sir Toby Belch (Olivia's uncle), Sir Andrew (a suitor), the clown and some servants, become rather irritated at Malvolio's seriousness, so they decided to trick him into believing that Olivia is in love with him. When he makes a fool of himself in front of Olivia, he is cast into a dungeon, pleading his innocence and his sanity, while the conspirators laugh at his misfortune. I felt sorry of Malvolio because he didn't do anything wrong, and not only was he tricked, but it appears that the tricksters get away with it.Finally, I wish to note that while Shakespeare deals a lot with romantic love, I wondered whether there were ever incidents of characters marrying below their status. It happens here since Sebastian and Viola are both orphans, and they end up marrying the duke and the lady.

I have been reading and loving Shakespeare since year 6 of primary school. At first I didn't understand the language, but the many discussions we had about it while reading aloud improved my understanding and didn't waver my interest. Twelfth Night mayn't have the most plausible story of all the Shakespeare plays, but it is still a lot of fun.This Twelfth Night is more than worthy. It is not thr best Shakespeare film, not like Othello, Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet, but it does boast a strong cast and impeccable production values.If I had any criticisms against this Twelfth Night, they would be that as well shot and as interesting as the beginning scene was, part of me found it unnecessary compared to the rest of the film and it didn't add much to the storytelling, and also it did feel a little sugar-coated towards the end.Criticisms aside, this is a very beautiful-looking Twelfth Night, with the luscious photography, autumnal imagery and scenery and colourful, sumptuous costumes. The music is full of memorable tunes that also do well to enhance each scene.Trevor Nunn's direction is excellent, the dialogue is intelligently woven and delivered, the story while condensed still maintains the play's fun and spirit, all the relationships are intact and done convincingly and the pace is smart and snappy.The acting is just great. Toby Stephens deserves credit for breathing life to Orsino, when he could easily have been bland and Imogen Stubbs is radiant. In the more comic roles, Malvolio, Sir Andrew and especially Sir Toby are hoots, and Imelda Staunton is a memorable Maria. My favourites here are Helena Bonham Carter and Ben Kingsley as Olivia and Feste, Carter is note perfect and Kingsley gives perhaps his best ever support turn.All in all, a lot of fun and very worthy. 8/10 Bethany Cox

In William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" (or, "What You Will"), brother and sister twins "Viola" and "Sebastian" are shipwrecked off the shores of "Illyria". "Viola" mistakenly thinks brother "Sebastian" has drowned. She goes to "Illyria" alone; and, she assumes the identity of a young man, "Cesario". In "Illyria", "Cesario" ("Viola") gets a job as gentleman (dresser) for the duke "Orsino". Male (female) "Cesario" ("Viola") falls in love with (male) "Orsino". But, he loves another woman, "Olivia". Meanwhile, "Olivia" falls in love with the female twin "Cesario" ("Viola"), thinking she is a male. Then, real male twin "Sebastian" returns, undead! Then, all's well that ends well.The supporting characters in director Trevor Nunn's cinematic version are all right (actually, they come off better, due to the overall execution of the film). But, mainly, it's about Imogen Stubbs (as Viola aka Cesario), and her interaction with Toby Stephens (as Orsino) and Helena Bonham Carter (as Olivia). This "Twelfth Night" is very well produced. It seems much more dramatic than comic, which is most obvious in the tone-setting opening. The supporting characters and subplots retain the more comic flavor, though. This portends a promising adaptation.But, the film doesn't really end up as you like it.Ms. Stubbs becomes an endearing "Viola". Both Stubbs and Mr. Stephens, and Stubbs and Ms. Bonham Carter are fun to watch "fall in love". The sexual dynamics work; interestingly, each of the performers add some subtleties. Film, of course, picks up its own (different than stage) nuances. The already shaky premise falls apart, however, when "Sebastian" returns; and, the performers lose credibility very quickly. Originally, a male would more convincingly play BOTH twins. It would have been better to have Stubbs (or even Steven Mackintosh) play both roles. This film points in the right direction; but, next time, either go all the way, or leave "Twelfth Night" on the stage.****** Twelfth Night (1996) Trevor Nunn ~ Imogen Stubbs, Toby Stephens, Helena Bonham Carter