Branagh's 2022 black and white film BELFAST is considered his most personal film. I offer that his 1995 black and white film IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER is equally autobiographical. And I guess that we will see a third black and white film in the future that would showcase the twilight of his career to close out the Branagh Trilogy. (Cross your fingers.)
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER is also the first film that Branagh does not appear. It is arguably the least popular film in his oeuvre, partially because of the release in the United States under the name A MIDWINTER'S TALE. For ease of understanding, this review will refer to it as MIDWINTER.
The storyline is brief, almost a British WAITING FOR GUFFMAN as a small group of theatrical performers are mounting an overly ambitious, underly funded production of that old Christmas classic, HAMLET. Yes the everyone's dead at the end HAMLET. It even results in a powerful movie producer attending opening night in an environment not typical to great theatre.
The screenplay is filled with great characters and very funny circumstances. Although not on screen, Branagh's voice is loud and clear. In fact, by this sixth film of his, we are able to see a bit of critical weakness. Branagh's films are lacking in quiet moments - usually wall to wall dialogue mixed with Patrick Doyle's regal musical scoring. This film is the first to subtly address that. In fact, it ends with many payoffs that the heart understands oh so well.
MIDWINTER is a very good film, but will likely remain his most forgettable work... Until my dream Branagh Trilogy Box Set exists!
