Pick your Uncle Vanya: (a) Louis Malle's Vanya on 42nd Street; (b) Michael Blakemore's Country Life; and now (c) Anthony Hopkins's August — all within the space of a couple of years. (An authentic Russian locale is not an option. ) This present version, transplanted to Hopkins's native Wales, has some good photography (not the soft-focus on Kate Burton, the ostensible beauty) and some good acting (not by Burton). The big blow-up over future plans blows way too high — over the top. The inherent profundity, or some of it at least, seems impossible to eliminate. Hopkins, besides making his directorial debut, composed the music (in the British tradition of "cowpat" pastoralism, appropriate to the period) and takes on the role of Vanya (here, Ieuan). With Leslie Phillips, Gawn Granger, Rhian Morgan. (1996) — Duncan Shepherd
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