Watch A Caribbean Dream

A Caribbean Dream is a romantic comedy adaptation of William Shakespeare's magical play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Set in Barbados, this 2017 film is directed by Shakirah Bourne, and stars Mikkel Bobby, Ahwe Birdman, and Aden Gillett. The plot revolves around multiple love stories that intersect in a magical time frame of one day and night. Footloose Demetrius, an estranged lover of the wealthy Hermia's friend Helena, is asked by Hermia's father to marry Hermia. Though either can result in his banishment, Demetrius confesses his love for Hermia, rendering Helena disheartened. At the same time, the battle of cottages between the island's residents, caused by the owner's desire to clear village lands to build a luxurious resort, leads to a competition between Puck and Kallaloo; Puck works for Oberon, the Fairy King, while Kallaloo is a water spirit. However, most of the twists and turns of the story are brought in by the magic of fairies, bringing about a fantastic ride for the viewers.

Throughout the movie, the characters navigate their way through hilariously chaotic scenarios in a widely-laid out system of attractive gardens and greenery. The venue is splendid, painted with strong visuals and a rich, warm colour palette, set against authentic locations and landmarks in Barbados. The characters' costumes are authentic and well-put, with a mixture of old and new themes causing it to shift from Renaissance to contemporary style.

The movie's overall performances serve to bring about a lively rendition of the Shakespeare classic. Mikkel Bobby and Ahwe Birdman, the leading actors that portray the characters of Demetrius and Bottom brilliantly, make the production more vibrant through their energetic performances. Aden Gillett gives a formidable performance, bringing an evolved take on the role of the authoritative Theseus. Meanwhile, Lorna Gayle's evocative narration adds another layer of depth to the film's storyline.

Apart from the theatrical performances, the movie's technical aspects are where it really shines, delivering a visually stunning work of art. The editing is smooth, with well-timed cuts and transitions that keep the story moving without interruption. The cinematography is undoubtedly the film's standout aspect, with a nuanced, masterful use of lighting and framing. The diverse range of camera angles utilized throughout the movie is breathtaking and helps further build the fantastical world created in A Caribbean Dream.

The film's soundtrack is a delightful mix of classic and contemporary Caribbean tunes, all edited with precision to fit each scene's tone. The soundtrack brings another layer of depth and colour to the story, propelling it forward and adding a unique dimension to the narrative.

Although the storyline follows Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and borrows heavily from its characters and themes, A Caribbean Dream manages to be unique in its right. By transporting the play to Barbados and working in the local island elements of folklore and culture, the film brings out an unusual freshness to the story.

In conclusion, A Caribbean Dream is a well-executed adaption of a classic play and serves as a shining example of what modern-day cinematography can accomplish when done right. The stunning visuals, strong performances, superb technical aspects, and memorable soundtrack all work together to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. For anyone familiar with Shakespeare's work and those who are not, this film offers a fresh take on an old classic and is definitely not one to miss out on.

A Caribbean Dream is a 2017 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.