Thursday, August 28, 2008

Movie review, part deux: Hamlet 2

By John Garcia of John Garcia's The Column

Hamlet 2

Dana Marschz is a failed actor-turned-high school drama teacher. Shortchanged in the talent department, Dana still harbors ambitions and passions. At work, that is; his personal life, with his dissatisfied wife Brie and their boarder Gary, leaves much to be desired. At Tucson's West Mesa High School, Dana sees himself as an inspirational teacher. But his adaptations of popular films, as performed by his top students Rand and Epiphany, are not resonating. When his latest--re-creating Erin Brockovich--is dismissed by the ninth-grade drama critic and his department is targeted for closure, Dana must reach deep into himself for creativity. After much perspiration, he conceives a sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet--a musical-theater extravaganza that will disdain both political correctness and dramatic credibility. Rallying and rousing his class, Dana casts a wider net by recruiting transfer students like Ivonne for key roles. With rehearsals underway, objections from school officials and the community are soon raised, but Dana will not be denied his freedom of artistic expression. After all, "to thine own self be true." Dana gets unexpected support from ACLU attorney Cricket Feldstein and his favorite actress, Elisabeth Shue. Above all else, he fervently believes that his opus must be staged, and nothing can break his optimistic spirit.

Source: Cinema Source

• Showtimes and more on Hamlet 2

"I feel like I was raped……………in the face!" -Drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) after reading a review on his latest show by the local theater critic in Hamlet 2.

I sincerely believe that this movie will be one of those films that will have two separate camps. Audience members getting the film from start to finish, and then those who completely miss the boat and hate this motion picture. For me, the film was a sparkling gem for us theater freaks.

We are taken to Arizona where high school drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steven Coogan) is bombarded with problems, both artistically and emotionally. His acting career is dead on arrival, his marriage is on a one way ticket to hell, and his drama department is getting eliminated due to the school's budget cuts. Talk about putting a mirror to society's face!

But then Dana finds that his new batch of students (a rough gang of Latinos and saucy Latinas) have raw, undiscovered talent. While there are major intercultural battles between these new kids, Dana and his two die-hard drama students that are the stars of the dept, they somehow make it work.

During all these school problems, Dana has to take his hateful wife (portrayed with cold steel by Catherine Keener) to the Prickly Pear Fertility Clinic, as they are trying to have a child. While at this clinic, Dana meets a nurse who looks a lot like Oscar nominee Elizabeth Shue, only it is really her! She has left Hollywood to become a nurse.

Finally Dana's creative mind explodes to create his own musical (thanks to the insightful opinions of the theater critic) - Hamlet 2. It's a funky musical using today's music in telling the story of how Jesus & Hamlet go on a time machine to fix the horrors of the world, so that no one dies in Hamlet, and you know who can forgive his father.

Now before you reach for your bible and scream blasphemy you should know the film does NOT make fun of religion. It puts religion into today's language to actually make JC's story shine through with emotional strength. While it is hilarious, it still does bring the message home of "I forgive you".

The film for me personally was hilarious, hysterical, thought provoking and even heartbreaking at times. I think because of where I come from (actor/critic/lover of musical theater) the film touched so many facets of my personal life. Dana is constantly being told "No! You can't do that!" "You're a loser!" "Who do you think YOU are?" from all sides. But in the end he has the last laugh. The film is layered exquisitely with side splitting one liners, sight gags, commentary, and song that has you rolling in the aisles. I could NOT stop laughing throughout the film. But there were also some deep, personal, heart-tugging moments that do cause you to wipe that tear from your face.

For you RENT fanatics, the final scene takes place right in front of the Nederlander Theater, where Larsen's rock opera is currently playing in.

Wait till you see the actual musical itself, which is spectacular! In an homage to Moulin Rouge by Baz Lurhmann, the film uses pop hits to wrap the bizarre, hilarious, yet heart-breaking story around. It is both hilarious and touching. I just wish they showed much more of the musical numbers. However, the numbers they do show on screen are hysterical, exciting, vibrant, and will at times put a lump in your throat. I mean you have the Phoenix gay men's chorus singing Elton John in the show! I predict right now that the company number, "Sweet Sexy Jesus" could receive an Academy Award nomination.

I will not spoil the riches of the musical numbers, the students, and the many jokes that fly all throughout the film. Suffice to say if you are into theater as much as I am, and you worship musical theater in particular -- this film is for you! BIG TIME! I saw friends & colleagues sprinkled within the characters throughout the film.

Steven Coogan is superb as the drama teacher whose name gets pronounced wrong all through the film. He goes for the jugular with the humor and physical comedy, with the end results being fantastically side splitting hilarious. But his dramatic moments are brutally honest, heartfelt, and extremely believable.

When "Rand Posin", the star of the drama dept first appeared on the screen, I whispered to my friend, "I know that guy." Then ten minutes later it hit me, it was none other than Skylar Astin who portrays "Georg" in the groundbreaking rock opera, Spring Awakening on Broadway! I got to meet and chat with him after his performance and found him to be an adorable, sweet, funny, and very personable. Now here he is starring in his first film -- and he's terrific, hilarious, and moving! He portrays "Rand", the senior who loves his musical theater. Astin delivers an outstanding performance in this film.

For us Dallas/Fort Worth natives, we have a homegrown girl in the film as well -- Phoebe Strole portrays "Epiphany Sellers". She is the female star of the drama dept at this high school where the film is set in. Ms. Strole is from Fort Worth originally. But guess what? She too is an original cast member of Spring Awakening as well. She originated the role of "Anna" in this magnificent musical. I met her as well, a beautiful girl with an abundance of talent. In the film she is perfectly cast as the girl who has cultural problems with the Latino students. Strole is hilarious.

Providing some scene-stealing work as well include the always dependable Amy Poehler as Civil rights attorney "Cricket Feldstein"; David Arquette as muscle stud "Gary"; and Elizabeth Shue as herself.

As the two main Latino leads in the musical, Joseph Julia Soria (Octavio) and Melonie Diaz (Ivonne) are brilliant in their roles. Soria is especially powerful when he portrays "Hamlet" in the musical. Hmmmm. Come to think of it, I think this is the first time in my entire life I've seen a Latin actor in a leading Shakespeare role on celluloid. Soria really gives the character a solid ground of realism and organic truth. Ms. Diaz is solid throughout the film as the girl who won't take Epiphany's crap, and apparently is the choreographer of the musical. These two actors steer completely away from stereotyping the culture of Latinos, but instead give honest, exquisite performances.

As I stated in my first paragraph, this film will not be a good fit for all. Some will find it offensive (which it is not) and others will sit there completely not "getting it".

But for those of us who love the theater, all the good and bad of it -- this film is for us. I honestly cannot wait to go back and see it again. I laughed so hard consistently throughout the film, but also wiped a tear at times. But then to have it center around a musical… well what more can I ask for from a film!?!

So all you theater addicted freaks run and sing to your local movie house and see Hamlet 2!!! I'll meet you there with popcorn in hand and a song in my heart!

GRADE: A

Pegasus News content partner - John Garcia's The Column

See more stories in:

• Arts > Movies / Film > Independent Films