Were the World Mine Movie Review
An Indie Retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Jun 14, 2009
Indie movies are definitely not for everyone. In other words, specific movies tend to appeal to specific groups. Were the World Mine will obviously appeal to a gay audience, but also to people who are into Shakespeare, as it is fun and often ridiculous - just like the Bard's play.
What Is It About?
Were the World Mine was based on a short film entitled Fairies. The movie's protagonist is Timothy (played by Tanner Cohen), a gay outcast at a prep school in a small town somewhere in America. He loves to daydream, and his daydreams always feature musical sequences and beautiful scenery. The object of his daydreams is Jonathan (played by Nathaniel David Becker), the star jock of the school. It is not long before Timothy gets involved into a school drama project, starts exploring Shakespeare and finds a recipe for the magical love potion in A Midsummer Night's Dream - which allows him to turn the entire town gay.
Yes, the plot is ridiculous, but once the movie gains momentum with all its costumes and music, no one should care. The obvious miscasting of essentially every single supporting role is, in fact, what prevents Were the World Mine from taking over the world. Luckily, Tanner Cohen is a great young actor, who basically carries the movie. Nathanael David Becker is also good, and that is about it when it comes to the actors' talents.
Is It a Musical?
What the movie lacks in terms of actors' talents, it makes up for in its music. However, Were the World Mine is not really a musical. Rather, it is a romantic movie with songs sprinkled throughout. What is very innovative about the songs is that the lyrics are taken from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and it is amazing to realize they still come off as fresh and hip. Cohen does most of the singing, but the entire cast also gets a chance to be heard at some point. The songs are not meant to move the story or the characters forward. Instead, they are welcome diversions, windows through which we get a glimpse of Timothy's world.
As far as the gay agenda is concerned, Were the World Mine is freshly unbiased. Yes, there is a subplot about Timothy's mother (played by Judy McLane) coming to terms with her son's sexuality. Sure, it is against intolerance and bullying, but the ending is surely the best one that could be concocted. In short, Were the World Mine is a joyous, fun movie that will appeal to anyone who likes music, theatre, Shakespeare and happy endings.
