Hamlet 2

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Hamlet 2

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Andy Fleming
Produced by Eric Eisner
Leonid Rozhetskin
Aaron Ryder
Written by Andy Fleming
Pam Brady
Starring Steve Coogan
Catherine Keener
Amy Poehler
David Arquette
Music by Ralph Sall
Cinematography Alexander Gruszynski
Editing by Jeff Freeman
Distributed by Focus Features
Release date(s) August 22, 2008
August 27, 2008[1]
Country United States
Language English
Budget $9 million
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Hamlet 2 is an upcoming comedy film directed by Andy Fleming and starring Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler, and David Arquette. It was produced by Eric Eisner, Leonid Rozhetskin, and Aaron Ryder. Hamlet 2 was filmed primarily at a high school in New Mexico from September 2007 to October 2007. The film premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and will be distributed by Focus Features. The film will be released in limited release on August 22, 2008 with a wide release on August 29.

Contents

[edit] Plot

When a high school threatens to shut down the theatre department, failed actor-turned-drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) decides to write a politically incorrect musical sequel to William Shakespeare's Hamlet.[2]

[edit] Production

Screenwriters Andy Fleming and Pam Brady began writing the script in 2003, but they incorporated the Shakespeare play Hamlet into the premise later on. The play shown within the film was written on deadline for production.[3] The film was budgeted at a little over $9 million.[4] Production began in September 2007 in New Mexico.[5] Filming took place mainly at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, where actual students were permitted to perform as extras in the film.[6] Filming concluded on October 31, 2007.[7] The film was executive produced by Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, who also produced Little Miss Sunshine.[4]

[edit] Cast

[edit] Release

A rough edit of Hamlet 2 was prepared for the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it was a late addition, three days before its scheduled screening.[4] The film premiered at the festival on January 21, 2008. After the screening, an all-night bidding war took place for rights to distribution, which Focus Features won for $10 million, acquiring worldwide rights to the film.[2] The purchase of Hamlet 2 nearly broke the Sundance Film Festival record set by Little Miss Sunshine, which sold for $10.5 million in 2006.[4]

[edit] Critical reaction

Duane Byrge of The Hollywood Reporter described Hamlet 2 as "a slam-bang patchwork of more inspired comedies, such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Borat". Byrge described the premise as "a twist on the formula of let's-put-on-a-show, with the twist being that no one wants the show". He thought that the screenwriters had put together "a string of gags in a hit-and-miss dither".[9]

Edward Douglas of ComingSoon.net described Hamlet 2 as "outrageously funny but it does require a certain type of sense of humor and the ability to laugh at very odd behavior and situations". Douglas thought that Coogan played his character over-the-top, but found that through the film, "you really start to love him". He described the premise as "ludicrous" but said, "Sometimes, you just have to turn off your brain and allow yourself to laugh."[10]

The New York Times noted of the film, "It made sure to take shots at Christians, gays, Latinos, Jews, the American Civil Liberties Union and Elisabeth Shue, one of its lead actresses."[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hamlet 2 at ComingSoon!
  2. ^ a b c d e f Anne Thompson. "Focus Features acquires 'Hamlet 2'", Variety, 2008-01-22. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. 
  3. ^ a b David M. Halbfinger. "Done Deals Finally Start To Appear At Sundance", The New York Times, 2008-01-23. 
  4. ^ a b c d Lauren A.E. Schuker. "Comic 'Hamlet 2' Finally Gets Sales Going at Sundance", Wall Street Journal, 2008-01-23. 
  5. ^ Francesca Martin. "Great Danes go head to head", The Guardian, 2007-09-12. 
  6. ^ Megan Martin. "Students learn about making movies from an on-the-set perspective", Albuquerque Journal, 2007-11-06. 
  7. ^ Dan Mayfield. "N.M. movies make Sundance cut", Albuquerque Journal, 2008-01-11. 
  8. ^ a b Gregg Goldstein. "'Hamlet 2' to be among New Frontiers", The Hollywood Reporter, 2007-12-20. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. 
  9. ^ Duane Byrge. ""Hamlet 2" sends up suburbia in rowdy fashion", The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters, 2008-01-23. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. 
  10. ^ Edward Douglas. "Reviews: The Great Buck Howard & Hamlet 2", ComingSoon.net, 2008-01-23. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. 

[edit] External links

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Films Directed by Andrew Fleming
Bad Dreams (1988) • Threesome (1994) • The Craft (1996) • Dick (1999) • Paranormal Girl (2002) • The in-Laws (2003) • Nancy Drew (2007) • Hamlet 2 (2008)
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