| 30 years ago, Kenneth Branagh directed and starred in what I think is the finest Shakespeare adaptation ever, Henry V. It is no surprise that he is now fulfilling the same roles in a film depicting the final few years of the Bard’s life. At the same time as Branagh was giving us a bloody battle at Agincourt, Ben Elton was showcasing his slightly naff but fiercely political stand up on Friday Night Live. So, it is much more of a surprise to find that Elton has written the screenplay for All is True. Unfortunately, Elton’s contribution is the weakest element of the film. Tonally uncertain, it mixes tragic scenes of William’s inability to process his young son’s death with some bawdy humour that would be more suited to his superior sitcom Upstart Crow. That the film feels quite underwhelming is no fault of the cast. Branagh is fine, and Judi Dench, though too old for the part, is good as Anne Hathaway and Lydia Wilson excellent as one of their daughters. It is really the cast that will keep you watching. Branagh tries to enliven things with some visual flourishes, but unlike in Murder on the Orient Express, they fall flat here. Disappointingly from such a talented director, this is nothing more than workmanlike. Rating: 5.5 out of 10 |