What could have been a charming and original endeavor becomes tacky and silly.
Comment
05/16/09
Were the World Mine (2008)
68
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:22
Fresh:15
Rotten:7
Average Rating:6.2/10
Reviews for Were the World Mine
The songs are bright and beautifully sung, the cast's naturalism works against the surreality of the concept, and ultimately, the pieces fit together like a dream.
02/13/09
All teen comedies would be this divine were the world Gustafson's.
02/13/09
This high school reworking of A Midsummer Night's Dream never really takes flight, but neither is it the preening misfire the first half promises.
02/12/09
Were the World Mine is a charming picture with a very simple message: be who you are, let others be who they are, and we can all be happy. In fact, we might even be fabulous.
02/09/09
Were the World Mine gets by on sheer charm -- and on Gustafson's inventive direction, Kira Kelly's elegant cinematography and co-screenwriter Cory James Krueckeberg's whimsical production design, which works wonders on a limited budget.
01/29/09
Were the World Mine is an independent film that succeeds through the excellent work of a cast and crew whose imagination compensates for budgetary constraints.
01/29/09
Tom Gustafson's musical fantasia is the gay indie of the year.
12/21/08
Were the World Mine is seriously uneven. If it displays considerable imagination and creativity, it also lapses too often into smug, campy silliness.
12/12/08
Top CriticEditorial Review Writer-producer-director Tom Gustafson's musical fantasy Were the World Mine, based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, is mostly delightful.
12/12/08
Top CriticA diverting Chicago-made export, director and co-writer Tom Gustafson's gay fantasia on Shakespearean themes is set in a socially stratified private school ruled by the rugby jocks but about to be sent into a tizzy thanks to the magic of Shakespeare.
12/12/08
When the film narrows its focus from big questions addressed through overly broad strokes and instead zooms in on one-on-one interactions and the emotional power of a well-made musical sequence, it taps into a winning sweetness and poignancy.
12/11/08
There are times when it is safe to say that a labor of love is love's labor lost, and, reader, this is one of them.
12/05/08
So sincere, so earnest in it’s desire that everything work out for the best for everyone, that one cannot help but give in to its earnestness and decide to like it, if not love it, despite its few failings.
12/01/08
Were the World Mine follows the teen musical formula but renders its material with admirable lushness and intelligence.
11/21/08
An ambitious gay musical fantasy inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream, Tom Gustafson's Were the World Mine is far better in concept than execution. The shoestring budget hurts.
11/21/08
Were the World Mine, an indie alternative to Disney's High School Musical franchise, is a small, endearing film.
11/21/08
Top CriticLike a hybrid of the lads from Dead Poets Society and HSM3, the teenage fellas of Were the World Mine gird their loins to produce a musical rendering of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
11/20/08
The material has been playfully updated, made into a parable of gay desire and wish fulfillment, but its significance remains the same, right down to Timothy's understanding that free will must ultimately be restored.
11/16/08
This picture dares to summon the spirit of the Bard as well as the ghost of Arthur Freed and succeeds as a rousing, warm-hearted spectacle.
07/31/08
Latest News for Were the World Mine
November 03, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review 
More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
Dressing Wonderland
Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.
Wes Anderson on Fox
The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Win Glee DVDs
We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.
Win tickets to Cold Souls
Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser
Win the entire 007 collection
Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection
IGN RSS Feeds