How a film with so intentionally little to do with Shakespeare's masterpiece, The Tempest, could have the arrogance to maintain the title and many character names is beyond me. I would have responded to this film much more openly had it not been for this audacity. It is fine to base a story on a great work, and perhaps even include some textual references. To maintain a title when so little remains is just silly. The movie doesn't even get around to the action of The Tempest until its final minutes. So many themes from the original work are just left hanging and purposeless in this film.
Even with this audacity, the film's story leaves a lot to be desired. It just isn't that interested, isn't well told, and isn't well acted. Raul Julia is nice in an overly comic Caliban, but everyone else comes off as overacting. This would be fine for a straight Shakespeare adaptation, but this isn't one.
Over all, I would not recommend this film. Read the play if you want to be exposed to the engrossing and engaging story of "The Tempest". You won't find the story here.
Even with this audacity, the film's story leaves a lot to be desired. It just isn't that interested, isn't well told, and isn't well acted. Raul Julia is nice in an overly comic Caliban, but everyone else comes off as overacting. This would be fine for a straight Shakespeare adaptation, but this isn't one.
Over all, I would not recommend this film. Read the play if you want to be exposed to the engrossing and engaging story of "The Tempest". You won't find the story here.