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Measure for Measure
By Tara McNamara,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Violent, salty crime drama doesn't elevate Bard's play.
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Measure for Measure
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What's the Story?
In MEASURE FOR MEASURE, the lives of the residents of an Australian housing project become intertwined when an interfaith romance develops between Muslim immigrant Jaweira (Megan Hajjar) and aspiring musician/wayward Catholic Claudio (Harrison Gilbertson). Believing that their relationship is unholy, Jaweira's brother, Farouk (Faysall Bazzi) sets out to end it by any means necessary.
Is It Any Good?
As a play, Measure for Measure is complicated, twisty, and bawdy, but in this adaptation, it's just convoluted. In other words: Shakespeare, this is not. Screenwriters often enjoy trying to contemporize the Bard's framework to create works of their own, and that can be fun in films like 10 Things I Hate About You or The Lion King. But here the framing falls apart -- and frankly, it's the only reason to watch it. Certain elements just don't translate well. For instance, in the play, the Duke of Vienna keeps an eye on the city that he's left in the charge of his expected successor. Here, loan shark "Duke" watches all the goings on in his territory through security monitors he set up in a hotel room while he pretends he's on vacation. It's a little hard to believe.
Talk of salvation and God and religious imagery are present everywhere, but that doesn't connect to the interfaith romance at the film's center -- or, for that matter, anything. The big plot twist is muddled, if not impossible. And while Shakespeare makes his message of "measure for measure" clear -- that those who have the power to judge us in criminal matters aren't necessarily morally superior -- that's a harder case to make in a world where the leaders are breaking the law every day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how people who use and deal drugs are typically portrayed in mainstream media. How does Measure for Measure compare to what you've seen before?
Why do you think filmmakers like to rewrite masters, such as Shakespeare and Jane Austen? How does this one compare to other reimaginings?
How are Muslim characters portrayed here? How does it compare to other portrayals you've seen? Why is representation in the media important?
Talk about the violence in the movie. Do you think it was all necessary to tell the story? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: September 4, 2020
- Cast: Hugo Weaving , Harrison Gilbertson , Megan Hajjar
- Director: Paul Ireland
- Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Run time: 107 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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