August

Brilliant!
Sir Anthony gives this gift to the world. Every aspect of this film is perfect. Not just a couple of actors or a couple of scenes-- but in its entirety, this film is brilliant. I was completely bowled over. Hopkin's touch as a director is as a wizard-- it is a story that could have dragged out, been heavy and melodramatic. Hopkins releases the story from that with his instinctive ability to allow the story to unfold the way the sun first appears on the eastern horizon...lightly, quietly, softly leading up to the crescendo of full morning light. Yes. This movie is like watching a magnificent dawn. I watched it three times in a row and cried and laughed each time as if it were the first time through. My god. Hopkins, you are a gift to this plane of existence....thank you for sharing yourself with all of us!

Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" in Wales
"August" IS Anton Chekhov's Russian Classic "Uncle Vanya" set in Victorian Wales. If you like Chekhov's works you will more than likely enjoy this Hallmark production. I loathe Chekhov and I admit that I have no feeling for his writings or his characters having had to read his works and having seen his plays, AND (perhaps because I work FOR the rich and grow tired of their bitching about "How bored they are!")....so I admit I am biased. That said, at least this production set to film is allowed to breathe beyond the stuffy and dark drawing room of the stage versions, and we are treated to glimpses of the Welsh countryside and some daylight. The soundtrack, composed by Anthony Hopkins, who also directs and stars as "Uncle Ioean" also helps to somewhat lift the self-admitted boredom of the characters. If you enjoy characters who sit and moan about their lot in life as wealthy people, and love the words "tedious" and "boredom" over and over again from their lips, by all means have a...

A MUST FOR HOPKINS FANS!
I believe Hopkins even did the music on this one! Chekovs Uncle Vanya, transposed to turn-of-the-century North Wales, where the peace and tranquillity of a country house is disturbed by the arrival of the estates tyrannical owner and his American wife. Written by Jonathan Broxton j.w.broxton@sheffield.ac.uk

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