Watch Love's Labour's Lost

Love's Labour's Lost, released in 1985, is a musical comedy film based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name. This movie was directed by BBC's John Gorrie and featured an all-star cast including Jonathan Kent, Christopher Blake, and Geoffrey Burridge. The story of the movie is set in the 1930s in Paris, and it revolves around four young men who are determined to live a life of pleasure and entertainment. The first young man is Ferdinand, a king who vowed to reject all women and focus only on studying. The second one is Berowne, Ferndinand's friend, and a scholar who is equally committed to his studies, and the third one is Longaville, another scholar who is also devoted to his studies.

The three men, however, cannot escape the force of love when they meet three beautiful women, Rosaline, Maria, and Katherine. All three women have just arrived in Paris, and the men are immediately smitten with them. The women feel likewise but are hesitant to act on their feelings since the men have vowed to give up women for scholarly pursuits. Nonetheless, the play continues with the characters grappling with their feelings and trying to figure out a way to be with one another.

The movie combines Shakespeare's trademark wit and humor with an upbeat musical score, making it a joy to watch. The musical numbers, choreographed by Wayne Sleep, highlight the slick moves and the charm of the young actors. The standout song in the movie is "I'd Rather Charleston," which is both catchy and hilarious. It is a tribute to the popular dance craze of the 1920s and '30s, and the actors throw themselves into the dance with gusto.

Most of the humor comes from the characters' interactions with each other. The scenes between the three scholars are especially comical, as their obsession with their studies often takes them to ridiculous lengths. At the same time, their sharp wit and playful banter keep the mood light and engaging. The movie does not shy away from tackling some of the more serious themes in the play, such as the nature of love and the passage of time, but it manages to do so without losing its light touch.

The acting in the movie is uniformly excellent, with each actor bringing a unique charm and energy to their role. Jonathan Kent is especially good as Ferdinand, the king who is slowly coming to realize the folly of his vow to reject women. His portrayal of the character's inner conflict is both subtle and heartfelt. Christopher Blake is equally impressive as Berowne, who is more open to the idea of love but still struggles with his commitment to scholarship. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and they play off each other's strengths beautifully.

The women in the movie are just as strong as the men, with each one bringing a distinct personality to their role. Josie Lawrence is especially good as Rosaline, the woman who catches Berowne's eye. Her wit and intelligence match Berowne's, and they engage in some spirited verbal sparring. The other women, played by Carmen du Sautoy and Patricia Hodge, are just as engaging and make the most of their screen time.

Overall, Love's Labour's Lost is a thoroughly enjoyable movie that manages to balance the light and the serious aspects of Shakespeare's play. The musical numbers add an extra layer of fun to the proceedings, but the movie never loses sight of the deeper themes of love and commitment. The performances are all excellent, and the chemistry between the actors is palpable. This is a movie that will entertain both fans of Shakespeare and audiences looking for a fun and engaging film.

Love's Labour's Lost is a 1985 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.