A MIDWINTER'S TALE

A MIDWINTER'S TALE Michael Moloney, Joan Collins (1996, Columbia Tri-Star, R, priced for rental) Perhaps Kenneth Branagh wrote and directed this black-and-white comedy about a ragtag production of Hamlet as a sort of out-of-town tryout for his upcoming film version of the play. Whatever his motivation, this intimate backstage Tale feels right at home on video, and its eccentric cast of theatrical types -- a hard-bitten agent (Collins), a flaky designer named Fadge (Celia Imrie), a klutz of an ingenue (Absolutely Fabulous' Julia Sawalha), and a tacky Hollywood producer (Ab Fab's Jennifer Saunders), among others -- provide consistent laughs. Unfortunately, the Branagh-like director who also plays Hamlet (Othello's Moloney) is too dully earnest, and the other characters' sotto voce bitchy remarks eventually give way to a sentimental finale. Still, theater buffs and fans of English humor will eat up this modest helping of ham acting. B -- William Stevenson

You Might Also Like

• Video News THE ICE QUEEN COMETH
• SPOTLIGHT EW Pop Culture Personality Test: Joan Collins | Mandi Bierly