Shakespeare isn't just in love in his outlandish comic romp, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." He's frisky and bard to the bone.

Although not quite as mainstream-friendly as recent Oscar winner "Shakespeare in Love," "Midsummer" fills the screen with unlikely lovers, fairy tricksters and inspired performances, especially from Kevin Kline and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Screenwriter-director Michael Hoffman ("One Fine Day"), a Shakespeare devotee, lifts the whimsical comedy from its original setting of ancient Greece and plops it down in Tuscany (Italy's Northern region) at the end of the 19th century.

For moviegoers unfamiliar with the basic story, this cinematic version is a little slow in gaining comic momentum. Even as his grand wedding feast is being prepared, Duke Theseus (David Strathairn) must preside over another disputed wedding.

Hermia (British actress Anna Friel) has been promised to Demetrius (Christian Bale of "Velvet Goldmine"). There's a problem, though. Hermia loves Lysander (Dominic West of "Surviving Picasso"). To further complicate matters, Helena (Calista Flockhart, "Ally McBeal") is madly in love with Demetrius, though he openly professes his love for Hermia.

It's not as complicated as it sounds. But it can be tedious at first. As the sun sets on Hoffman's vision of the play, however, things begin to liven up. It helps that Hoffman makes grand use of the bicycle, which had recently been invented when this story unfolds.

Hermia and Lysander pedal off into the forest to escape those who oppose their love, and Helena hops her own bike to chase down Demetrius to profess her devotion. Demetrius, of course, is in hot pursuit of Hermia, the object of his affection.

Mix in a night of fairy tricks that turn lovers' emotions upside down, a feuding Fairy Queen (Pfeiffer) and King (Rupert Everett), as well as a ham actor (Kline) in the wrong place at the right time, and "Midsummer" is set for a night of unbridled Shakespearean comedy.

The Fairy King, jealous because he isn't getting the attention from Fairy Queen Titania that he feels he deserves, sends his lieutenant, Puck (Stanley Tucci) off to cast a series of spells. Perhaps the inspiration for all randy parlor farces to come, "A Midsummer Night's Comedy" offers one raucous night of magical, if somewhat unlikely, passion.

Kline, an extraordinarily versatile actor, is perfectly cast as Nick Bottom, the hammiest of all ham actors. Bottom's troupe also enters the woods this fateful night to rehearse a play they hope to perform at the duke's wedding celebration.

That's where Puck comes in. His spell that turns Bottom's top into a man-donkey (complete with long ears, a furry face and a hee-haw speech pattern). As his fellow actors flee back to the village, Bottom (suffering through an unhappy marriage at home) suddenly becomes the object of the Fairy Queen's complete love and constant, doting attention.

As absurd as this production seems at times, it is obviously done with great love and devotion by everyone from director on down. Every member of the large cast seems to be having a ball with this slightly skewed version of Shakespeare's somewhat ribald comedy.

Kline and Pfeiffer aren't the only acting standouts. Flockhart showcases a substantial acting talent and ease with Shakespeare's words, and Tucci (a writer-director in his own right) is completely at home as the sprightly Puck.
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Genre: Shakespearean comedy

Starring: Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart

Director: Michael Hoffman ('Soapdish,' 'Promised Land,' 'Restoration,' 'One Fine Day')

Running time: 115 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13 (mild profanity, adult situations, brief nudity)