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Measure for Measure (2019 film)

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Measure for Measure
Directed byPaul Ireland
Written byDamian Hill
Paul Ireland
Based onMeasure for Measure
by William Shakespeare
Produced byDamian Hill
Paul Ireland
StarringHugo Weaving, Mark Leonard Winter
CinematographyIan Jones
Edited byGary Woodyard
Music byTristan Dewey
Tai Jordan
Production
company
Toothless Pictures
Distributed bySamuel Goldwyn Films
Release dates
  • August 2019 (2019-08) (Melbourne International Film Festival)
  • September 4, 2020 (2020-09-04)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Measure for Measure is a 2019 Australian drama film written by Damian Hill and Paul Ireland, directed by Ireland and starring Hugo Weaving. It is based on the play of the same title by William Shakespeare.

Cast

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Plot

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The film is based on the Shakespeare play, but with the story set in a housing commission block of flats in Melbourne.

Production

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Co-writer, director, producer and star Damian Hill died on 22 September 2018,[1] having taken his own life two days before filming was due to start. The event shocked and traumatised all involved with the film, especially co-writer Paul Ireland and actor Mark Leonard Winter, who were close friends with Hill. Winter assumed Hill's role as the drug dealer Angelo in the film, and filming resumed a week later.[2]

The film, which was supported by the Melbourne International Film Festival Premier fund, was dedicated to Hill.[3]

Release

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Measure for Measure premiered at the 2019 Melbourne International Film Festival,[4] where the Damian Hill Independent Film was awarded in Hill's honour.[3]

In June 2020, it was announced that the North American distribution rights to the film were acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films.[5] The film was released on demand and digital on September 4, 2020.[6]

Reception

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As of February 2024 Measure for Measure has a 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 reviews.[7]

Robin Holabird of KUNR gave the film a positive review and wrote, "By all measures, this Measure for Measure totals up into an absorbing cinematic experience."[8]

Josiah Teal of Film Threat gave the film an 8 out of 10 and wrote, "...the film discusses issues such as multiculturalism, gender, drugs, and religion in a way that is increasingly relevant in 2020 without ever feeling heavy-handed."[9]

Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com awarded the film two stars and wrote, "However, there's a lot going on in the movie without ever really exploring those topics beyond a cursory mention."[10]

John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a negative review and wrote, "Shakespeare scholars have often labeled Measure for Measure a 'problem play,' a term that has been given multiple meanings; Ireland’s tonally ambivalent film fits one of those meanings pretty well."[11]

Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times also gave the film a negative review and wrote, "Convoluted and ponderously paced, Measure for Measure relies too often on sentimental music and narrative shorthand."[12]

References

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  1. ^ Quinn, Karl (24 September 2018). "Australian actor Damian Hill, star of Pawno, dead at 42". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  2. ^ Weaving, Hugo (20 February 2024). "Hugo Weaving wanted to star in Australian movie The Rooster to shift taboos about men and mental health". ABC News (Australia) (Interview). Interviewed by Russell, Stephen A. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b Quinn, Karl (3 August 2019). "Damian Hill the absent star of Measure for Measure world premiere at MIFF". The Age. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  4. ^ "MIFF Archive". MIFF 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  5. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (30 June 2020). "Samuel Goldwyn Picks Up Hugo Weaving Drama 'Measure For Measure'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  6. ^ Stage Tube (24 August 2020). "VIDEO: Watch Hugo Weaving in the Trailer for MEASURE FOR MEASURE". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Measure for Measure". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  8. ^ Holabird, Robin (11 September 2020). "New Update Of Shakespeare's 'Measure For Measure' Stands Out: Robin's Movie Review". KUNR. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  9. ^ Teal, Josiah (4 September 2020). "Measure for Measure". Film Threat. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  10. ^ Castillo, Monica (4 September 2020). "Measure for Measure". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  11. ^ DeFore, John (3 September 2020). "'Measure for Measure': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  12. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (3 September 2020). "'Measure for Measure' Review: Rising by Sin in Melbourne". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
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