Following in the footsteps of actor, writer and director Woody Allen's 1997 film, "Everyone Says I Love You," writer and director Kenneth Branagh has fashioned a similar starring vehicle for himself with the 2000 film musicalization of Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost. You may recall that Allen's 1997 film featured dramatic actors, not known or remembered for their singing abilities, such as Edward Norton, Billy Crudup, Goldie Hawn, Alan Alda (The Apple Tree Broadway 1967), Woody Allen and Julia Roberts. Throughout the film, they performed delightful songs by almost-forgotten musical theater and film composers such as Sam Stept, Gus Kahn, Harry Ruby and Walter Donaldson. (Cole Porter also had a song in there or two.) Branagh, on the other hand, has chosen to insulate himself and fellow cast members with noted songs from the catalogues of George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern. The results can be heard in the recently-released soundtrack, "LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST": {Sony Classical -- time: 58:12}
For the record, the vocal selections comprise about 31 minutes of this CD, with the remainder devoted to the film score of Patrick Doyle. Branagh, like Allen, sings in this film, along with Alicia Silverstone (who should not give up her dramatic acting) and musical comedy veterans Nathan Lane (Guys And Dolls, Broadway 1992) and Adrian Lester (Company - London 1996). Lane, Lester and Timothy Spall excel in their solo and duet spots. Branagh does not have a strong voice but does manage on "They Can't Take That Away From Me."
For those of you who care, this is Branagh's second musical outing. He can be heard in duet with Kevin Kline in the animated 2000 film "El Dorado." Their vocal selections were not released on the concept recording, which almost solely features vocals by the film composer Sir Elton John.
The highlight of this "LLL" recording is the touching off-key duet by Geraldine McEwan and Richard Briers on "The Way You Look Tonight." Musical film buffs and fans of certain performers in this film may want to purchase this CD. Others may find solace in the 93 minute video release where the visual distractions will mask the singing flaws.
