The always impressive Kenneth Branagh plays Shakespeare in his later years, returning to his estranged family in Stratford after his Globe Theatre is destroyed in a fire in the early part of the 17th century. He’s battling the memory of a son who died many years before, two daughters with problems of their own, and a wife (the wonderful Judy Dench) who looks upon Will in many respects as a stranger after many years living apart. Impressive dialogue and acting, as expected, and while the first half drags a bit and feels like a mediocre period piece, the latter half of story is moving.
