Watch As You Like It

As You Like It is a 2006 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's beloved comedy of the same name. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the film features an all-star cast, including Takuya Shimada, Brian Blessed, Richard Clifford, and Bryce Dallas Howard in the lead role of Rosalind. Set in the countryside of France, the story focuses on Rosalind, the daughter of a banished duke, who falls in love with Orlando, the son of one of her father's enemies. When Rosalind is also banished from court, she disguises herself as a man and flees to the Forest of Arden, where she encounters a variety of colorful characters, including the jester Touchstone (Adrian Lester), the shepherdess Phoebe (Romola Garai), and her own cousin Celia (Jenna Coleman). Meanwhile, Orlando also makes his way to the forest in search of Rosalind, unaware that she is there in disguise.

The film is faithful to Shakespeare's original text, with Branagh choosing to set the story in the late 19th century, which adds a charming sense of nostalgia and romance to the proceedings. The cinematography is exquisite, capturing the natural beauty of the French countryside and the mysterious allure of the forest.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with Howard shining as Rosalind. She exudes charisma and wit, and her chemistry with Shimada's Orlando is palpable. Shimada is also quite good, infusing his character with a sensitive masculinity that makes him a worthy match for Rosalind. Blessed is a scene-stealer as the melancholy and philosophical duke, and Clifford is amusingly gruff as his loyal servant, Adam.

The supporting cast is equally strong, with Lester providing some laughs as Touchstone, and Garai imbuing Phoebe with a touch of heartbreak. Coleman is delightful as Celia, and David Oyelowo is quite memorable as the banished courtier, Duke Frederick. The film also includes a brief but memorable appearance by Kevin Kline as the pompous courtier, Jaques.

One of the highlights of the film is the music, which was composed by Patrick Doyle. The music is lush and romantic, perfectly capturing the mood of the story. The dance sequences are also exquisitely choreographed and performed, providing a sense of joy and celebration that is infectious.

Overall, As You Like It is a delightful adaptation of one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. Branagh and his cast bring a sense of whimsy, romance, and humor to the story that makes it a joy to watch. Whether you're a fan of Shakespeare or just love a good romantic comedy, this film is definitely worth checking out.

As You Like It is a 2007 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.