The tidying of our DVD/VHS cabinet that began with the excavation of Strangers with Candy (q.v.) ended with Looking for Richard. James had not only forgotten that this was a Noni vehicle, but had also forgotten seeing the film at all.
This is a most unusual film that is neither a play nor a "making of" film about a play, though it resembles the latter. It is, instead, Al Pacino's paean to Shakespeare, in which he brings together actors of considerable note who talk about why Shakespeare matters, why most people don't understand this, and how much better the world would be if they did.
As part of this exercise, Pacino talks briefly about the importance of finding the perfect actress to play Lady Anne, and then we see Our Noni playing a few scene fragments in that role. Gradually we understand that the entire play is not actually being produced, nor is there an audience for it. Rather, some segments are staged (the stage itself gets a lot of attention) to make particular points about the work.
Ryder is credited only as Lady Anne, while most of the rest of the cast is credited both as a character and as themselves. This is consistent with her peripheral role in the meandering conversation that dominates this film.
Final verdict: 3 croquet balls.
