Praise for ‘Labour’s Lost’

In spite of Kenneth Turan’s put-down (“Branagh’s Labor Lost,” June 9), moviegoers who long for a good old Hollywood-style musical in 2000 should get to Kenneth Branagh’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” to see what they have been missing.

Shakespeare is barely outlined, but the fresh young cast (and droll Nathan Lane) under Branagh’s direction brings such verve and simplicity and style to 10 old standards of the ‘30s (with verses yet, and marvelous orchestrations) that the film is a fast 93 minutes which prove an unexpected delight.

The audience applauded at the end and so did we.

R.A. LEE

Los Angeles

While I think Turan’s review of Branagh’s film is spot on, as are most of his movie reviews, I take exception to his implication that this is one of the bard’s lesser comedies.

Harold Bloom and Northrop Frye, two renowned Shakespearean scholars, give this witty comedy high praise. When done well, it fairly sparkles. Branagh had fantastic material, but this movie is proof that even he is fallible. The problem is in the execution and not the inspiration.

CHAR HERSH

Long Beach