hamlet 2

I love Steve Coogan. He is hilarious, and what he does to himself in HAMLET 2 caused me to giggle in awkwardness throughout the whole movie. He plays a failed actor who has become a high school drama teacher to stay connected to the art. All I could think while watching this movie is that it is the dirty, trashy cousin of WAITING FOR GUFFMAN. There are some truly hilarious moments - and although it isn't a perfect film, it is a must see for actors and theatre fans. The theatre program is going to be cut, so Coogan must have the performance of a lifetime to get people interested in keeping the program alive. He ends up deciding to write his own piece and settles on the sequel to HAMLET. Including such characters as Jesus, and incorporating a time machine, the piece is...um....interesting. Much more happens....and the supporting cast is fantastic. Featuring Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler, and two of the original cast members of SPRING AWAKENING, this is a movie to watch to appreciate the ridiculousness of the theatre, and actors in general. By the by, Elizabeth Shue is totally cool.

Final thoughts: Awkwardly funny...has some genuinely great moments, and is a must-see for the Thespians amongst us.