Critic Reviews

Given the impossibility of crafting William Shakespeare into a believable human being, the film is an honorable try.

All Is True is sentimental, theatrical, likable – and unfashionable.

A tender, intelligent imagining of the playwright in retirement.

All is True does justice to the Bard, and devout fans of Shakespeare are sure to find a place for it, if not on the shelf alongside his classics, but in a small place in their hearts.

All is True is a tongue-in-cheek title all the same, for a script which fills in factual gaps with its own blatant leaps of imagination: they’re just far more respectful and illuminating leaps.

There is a beautiful, surprising, and entirely engrossing film within this movie; it’s just almost impossible to find among the establishing shots of ponds and endless subplots of real-life characters introduced for seemingly no other reason than to help make this movie perfect for sophomore year high school classes.

It’s an unfussy, intimate chamber drama that’s fearless in confronting the attitudes of its exalted subject.

Solid, creative melodrama is nothing to sneeze at, but it can’t compete with enduring genius.

Say what you want about his onscreen vices, but Branagh has always been a charitable director and it really shows here.

Even if this handsome film runs a bit snoozy and dull at times, it’s wondefully acted and clearly made with no shortage of compassion and love.