An ensemble of talented and amusing actors fills the screen at every moment in the Shakespeare-inspired comedy As You Like It – Like That! written and directed by Isabel Custer. Having given up her career to raise her son, Oscar, Caro (Junet Morales) is in a creative phase and becomes inspired to direct a version of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, with a Miami-style twist.
From the start, Caro captures your attention with her energy, enthusiasm, and smile as she chases her dream of acting and directing. A struggling Cuban American actress and single mom working at a dry cleaning shop, Caro must choose whether to direct a Shakespeare play or star in a career-defining series with a very handsome and swarthy director, Oren Sax (Jordi Vilasuso). Despite the allure, she goes all in on the Bard, knowing everything might fall apart.
With great passion, Caro assembles a cast and secures a theater to direct her low-budget independent production of As You Like It – Like That! featuring actors with unique personalities and talents, especially the voice of reason and theater guru Letty Goldman (Vicki Klein). Letty, along with Piki (Nick Puga), her best friend, who is a soundboard and guiding light for Caro, plays a crucial role. However, when Caro encounters her competition, Sarah (Symphony Howlett), for an acting role in a potentially life-changing series, she is pulled in a different direction, setting aside her dreams of directing Shakespeare, even though those dreams are still very much alive.
“…Caro must choose whether to direct a Shakespeare play or star in a career-defining series…”
Caro’s situation is a hilarious mix of circumstances, a tempest in a teacup. With sharp dialogue and perfect timing, As You Like It – Like That! captures your attention, with no dull moments as Caro moves from one scene to another while staying focused on her goal. She is a loving mother, and when she visits, Puerto Rican comedian Noris Joffre, who plays Caro’s cold-hearted mother, she’s confident in her path even though she needs help watching Oscar and juggling all aspects of her busy life.
This fast-moving escapade in Miami is heart-warming and filled with talented folks, including Cuban comedian Tio Alberto (Ruben Rabasa), and South Florida comedians Nicolas Pedro Souffrant and Plus Pierre, as well as Florida indie queens like Krystal Millie Valdez and Nadezhda Amé. In addition, Noelle Nicholas, new to the screen, has an astonishing voice.
Custer’s decision to open the film with testimonials from the Shakespeare cast and crew about Caro sets the stage for As You Like It – Like That! as an engaging journey with talented performers against the vibrant backdrop of Miami, providing a lively environment to experience the culture the filmmaker weaves throughout the film. In addition, it’s refreshing to see a high-energy woman taking charge to promote “success en tu vida.” An interesting theater-inspired detail is Caro’s wig, which is blonde, curly, and big. When she begins removing the wig here and there, it reveals her straight, dark hair, symbolizing change and serving as a motif for the entire film and Caro’s call for Shakespeare.
Well edited and acted, with a great soundtrack that captures the Miami vibe, As You Like It – Like That! has moxie and offers a welcoming, new twist on Shakespeare.
For more information about As You Like It – Like That!, visit the ABulea Content official website.
"…offers a welcoming, new twist on Shakespeare."
