Summary
With a lush, beautiful forest setting inspired by 19th Century Japan, populated
by people of all races, Kenneth Branagh offers a unique adaptation of William Shakespeare's lightest
and most delightful comedy, "As You Like It," a celebration of the enduring power of love in all its
many disguises.
witty, playful and utterly magical, the story is a compelling romantic adventure starring
Romola Garai, Bryce Dallas Howard, David Oyelowo, Kevin Kline, and Alfred Molina.
Rosalind (Howard), the daughter of Duke Senior (Brian Blessed), a banished duke, is raised in
the court of Duke Frederick (also played by Blessed), with her cousin Celia (Garai).
She falls in love with a young man named Orlando (Oyelowo), but cannot act on her
love before being banished by Duke Frederick, who threatens death if she comes near the court again.
Celia goes with Rosalind (who is disguised as a boy, Ganymede) and Touchstone, the court's fool,
to the forest of Arden. Upon their arrival in the forest, they happen upon Orlando and his manservant,
who are fleeing the wrath of Orlando's eldest brother. What follows is an elaborate scheme
devised by the cross-dressing Rosalind to find out the verity of Orlando's supposed
passion for her, and to further capture his heart, through the witty and mischievous façade of Ganymede.
This film is rated PG for violence and some sexual material.
