SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Feature film romantic comedy and an ironic celebration of Los Angeles. Harris Telemacher (Martin) is a Shakespeare-quoting weather presenter for a Los Angeles television station. Martin begins by reciting a speech in praise of LA that parodies John of Gaunt’s deathbed scene, substituting ‘this Los Angeles’ for ‘this England’ (II i). Later Harris and Sara (Tennant) visit a graveyard and Harris reveals to Sara the tombstone of Shakespeare. This foreshadows their encounter with the gravedigger (uncredited cameo from Rick Moranis) and resulting conversation which is a spoof of Hamlet (V i). There are also allusions to A Midsummer Night’s Dream (the two confused couples exchanging lovers) and The Tempest, a magic storm stranding the lovers, the gods (in the form of stone lions) blessing the couple, and a character named Ariel.

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Film

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Year of release

1991

Duration

95 mins; 8,517 feet

Credits

Director

Mick Jackson

Producer

Daniel Melnick; Michael Rachmil

Cinematographer

Andrew Dunn

Screenplay

Steve Martin

Cast

Richard E. Grant	Roland
Rick Moranis	Gravedigger
Sarah Jessica Parker	SanDeE*
Steve Martin	Harris K. Telemacher
Susan Forristal	Ariel
Victoria Tennant	Sara McDowel

Additional Details

Production type

Fiction Films

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Production Company

Name

Rastar

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Retail outlets