NOW: In the Wings on a World Stage | Rotten Tomatoes

NOW: In the Wings on a World Stage

Released May 2, 2014

1 hr. 37 min.

Documentary

List

52%

29 Reviews

Tomatometer

47%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 2012, director Sam Mendes, actor Kevin Spacey and a mixed cast of American and British thespians embark on a global tour with Shakespeare's "Richard III."

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Rent NOW: In the Wings on a World Stage on Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV.

Audience Member

Too much the luvvie travelogue, this doesn't dig deep enough into either Shakespeare's play nor Kevin Spacey's "mercurial" (as Sam Mendes describes it) temperament. Of course with hindsight we now know more of his darker side, but the documentary itself would have benefited from a less hagiographic approach.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Para verse junto a "Looking for Richard" por partida doble, y ver a Kevin Spacey interpretar magistralmente en teatro la clásica obra de Shakespeare, "Richard III", en un tour alrededor del mundo.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Is Theater is dying? Maybe not! The only theater play I have ever attended was while I was in primary school (what the Americas call a field trip), it will forever stay soldered in my mind as the ending came near; fake snow fell from ceiling above, like Wynona Ryder in Edward Scissorhands. Actors, although I have never met any, from stories and Kevin Smiths podcast, plus critic's have stated they are boring self centered people. I can see what they meant by watching this on Netflix, ah.... Netflix juckyard for lack-luster films that get eaten up by it subscribers leaving them with the idea it is the best cinema has to offer. But I digress slowly to the point of this documentary, friendship in actors in creating an amazing and original experience that is the theater. Theater; it happens once then its gone, in present day and age that is what makes it what it is, its genesis, the mojo of watching actors play a story right in front of you, the origins of all entertainment. This film follows Kevin Spacey and an assortments of lesser known stage actors as they play Shakespeare's Richard II or is it called the third, I'm so dumb I can't remember. Anyway, they play Shakespeare's Richard-the-whatever number a hundred times in the world's greatest places, but never really catching that zing, the film does try to capture. There is that humanity you find as these actors who's lives 24/7 is to pretend, build a faithful relationship that is the cement in the production of there play. Those truthful friendships are covered up like dog shit on a shoe, by a poor approach at editing the scenes all jumbled up, less explanations and more behind the scenes. It falls over like a tradegity when Spacey centers the film on his ego instead of the kindle of false and real friendships it presents then lose. Still a very interesting watch for cinephiles and theater fans.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I was fortunate enough to see Kevin Spacey's magnificent performance as Richard III so I was particularly interested in seeing this behind the scenes documentary. Unfortunately if offers little insight into the play, performances or Sam Mendes' direction. Rather, it's more of a video scrapbook of the show's family of performers and support staff, like extra bonus material included with a DVD.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Jeremy Whelehan

Director

Kevin Spacey

Actor

Sam Mendes

Actor

Jeremy Whelehan

Producer

Kevin Spacey

Executive Producer

Aadel Nodeh-Farahani

Cinematographer

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Mike McCahill

Guardian

As if screening filmed plays in cinemas wasn't perverse enough, here's a making-of for a long-gone theatrical event: the production of Richard III by Sam Mendes's Bridge Project that toured worldwide.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 5, 2014

Full Review

Cath Clarke

Time Out

More play, less luvvies please.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 3, 2014

Full Review

Tom Keogh

Seattle Times

There is nothing that drives this film except a tone of inward-gazing self-importance, sweetened by the sentimental bonding of the play's cast and crew and Whelehan's touristy location shots.

Rated: 2/4

May 15, 2014

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Creating a warmth that feels like a family home video travelogue, scenic visuals are balanced with interviews guaranteed to inspire not only theatre actors and theatre-goers, but travelers alike.

Dec 14, 2019

Full Review

Morgan Rojas

Cinemacy

Now is not the type of film that would probably be viewed more than once, however, the takeaway is strong; theater is alive and well and continues to impact audiences everyday with its message.

Nov 8, 2018

Full Review

Peter Calder

New Zealand Herald

Shakespeare for short attention spans.

Rated: 2/5

May 16, 2016

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Synopsis

In 2012, director Sam Mendes, actor Kevin Spacey and a mixed cast of American and British thespians embark on a global tour with Shakespeare's "Richard III."

Director: Jeremy Whelehan
Executive Producer: Kevin Spacey
Distributor: Treetops Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.2K

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