Overrated and overhyped

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

A Shakespeare competition for American college students in picturesque Italy makes for one of the most entertaining indie movies I've seen in quite a while (even if Complete Works calls itself a 5-episode web series). Lili Fuller, Adam North, and Joe Sofranko's debut feature (cause that's what it really is) turns out to be as delightful, captivating, and splendidly written and directed (by North and Sofranko) as just about any independent feature making the festival circuit. Gorgeous cinematography (by Ben Winchell), music (by Michael Kramer), production design (by Alicia Papanek), and costumes (by Michelle Lukiman) plus one winning performance after another from stars Sofranko, Fuller, Lizzie Fabie, Ben Sidell, Alex Skinner, and Chase Williamson, supporting players Michael Keenan, Daniel Montgomery, Laurie O'Brien, and Kevin Quinn, and cameo/guest players Jason Greene, Jessica Pennington, Vicki Lewis, Robert Merrill, and many more add up to one absolutely terrific movie (or web series, if you will). And what's even more amazing, it looks like it cost about 100 times its IMDb-estimated budget. Set aside a couple of hours and watch Complete Works straight through. You won't want to stop till the final fadeout!