Movie #816 ........................."H4"

Movie #816 "H4" was the last movie we saw at the Chicago Film Festival, and I didn't like it at all.  I support wholeheartedly the good intention ---- to bring Shakespeare to every man ----- but I couldn't sit through the execution of it.  It seemed a high school presentation gone awry ----too many characters (some with the same name) and people just reciting the lines.  Harry Lennix, on the other hand, was chewing up the scenery, so it was very uneven.  I thought it would never end, but thank goodness it did, and I was able to leave the theatre never thinking about this one again ----- until I had to bring up the bad memory for this critique.  Now it's over!

H4 (2014)  I would give this 1 star out of 5.  Didn't like it at all!

Drama  -  February 2014 (USA)

Director:

 Paul Quinn

Stars:

 Keith David, Harry Lennix, Jeryl Prescott 

H4 translates Shakespeare's Henry IV plays to contemporary Los Angeles to explore political struggles in the community. By killing a popular black leader, Henry hopes to cement his family's political dynasty, but his reckless son, Hal, seems more interested in hijinks than politics. Will the "Prince of Watts" follow in the footsteps of his powerful father, or will he succumb to the criminal life championed by Falstaff? Performed in Shakespeare's original language, H4 will appeal to Shakespearean aficionados and newcomers alike.