All Is True Parent Guide

Director Kenneth Branagh deserves credit for attempting the impossible – trying to get inside the mind of William Shakespeare, the greatest English writer of all time. That he endeavors to do so in a rather unsatisfactory film is disappointing but perhaps not surprising.

All Is True opens in 1613. The Globe Theatre has burned to the ground and William Shakespeare (Kenneth Branagh) returns to his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Having spent the better part of three decades rising to the top of the theatrical world of London, Shakespeare is a virtual stranger to his family and is welcomed by them with chilly detachment. Clearly, this is not to be a comfortable retirement in the bosom of his family. Will is still mourning the loss of Hamnet, his only son, who died seventeen years ago. His wife, Anne (Judi Dench), treats him as a respected guest – and insists he sleep in the guest room. His daughter, Susannah (Lydia Wilson) is married to an inflexible, autocratic Puritan (Hadley Fraser) and his other daughter, Judith (Kathryn Wilder), is nursing hurt, grief and rage over the death of her twin brother and her father’s lifelong underappreciation of her. Then a townsman accuses Susannah of adultery and is sued for slander. When Judith exposes long-buried family secrets, Will is shaken to the core.

If you think the plot sounds like a cable TV psychodrama, you’re not far wrong. Although some of the events have a basis in history, much of the story is pure invention. And it feels like some of it has been inserted into the narrative for shock value; not to illuminate either Shakespeare’s character or legacy.

It is particularly disappointing that the plot is so weak because the acting is so wonderful. All Is Lost features a thespian dream team. Sir Kenneth Branagh is arguably the greatest living Shakespearean actor and his passion and respect for the bard comes through in every scene. Dame Judi Dench portrays Anne as a sturdy, practical woman whose straightforward manner covers long-buried hurt and a love never quite extinguished. And Sir Ian McKellan plays the visiting Earl of Southampton with world weary elegance. Listening to his character recite sonnets with Shakespeare is a joy for anyone who enjoys hearing the bard’s words so beautifully spoken.

Given its subject, it’s obvious All Is True is not geared towards young viewers. Older teens and anyone else who enjoys historical drama and the words of Shakespeare are more likely to be interested in this production. It has few content issues aside from some profanity, implied sexual activity, and conversations about infidelity or possible homosexual relationships. The content is unlikely to trouble most viewers; they are more likely to be irked by the liberties the plot takes with history. While reflecting on his life, Will says, “I’ve lived so long in imaginary worlds I think I’ve lost sight of what is real, what’s true.” Unfortunately, it seems the same could be said of this film. While it is flawlessly acted, and at times compelling, it doesn’t feel true.