SHAKESPEARE WALLAH REVIEWED
“Shakespeare Wallah” was the second Merchant/Ivory production. I had seen pictures and heard stories about it for ages. This month, I got to see it for the first time. It’s a charming romance about a real life mother-father-daughter combination touring the best of England and India. What they find is the shared history of their lands breeds familiarity and a degree of resentment. Still, it’s one of those great under seen stiff upper lip sort of longing pictures.
Restrained romance rarely gets its place in the modern cinema. Watching how Merchant/Ivory with that bumping Ray score could make such conservative pacing play well with the emerging Youth movement is a feat. While the film plays a little longer than I felt suited the material, it’s worth checking out. Hell, it probably looks better than ever thanks to the recent restoration. So, retire the VHS copies that you might have. I don’t really like talking for Merchant Ivory fans after the Tumblr heat from the Maurice coverage.
Just do what you like and I’ll do what I like. Does that make everyone happy? Just enjoy your deep cut cinema.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Featurette
- Trailer
A/V STATS
- 1.84:1 1080p transfer
- LPCM 2.0