Much Ado About Nothing
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Movie Reviews of Much Ado About Nothing
Movie Review: Delightfully Sweet Comedy Excellently Set for Premier Cast
Summary: 5 Stars
`Much Ado About Nothing' directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh is a terrific adaptation of one of the most appropriately named of Shakespeare's plays. This comedy has the name that could easily be applied to practically half the romantic comedies in the history of the drama. And yet, as in all of Shakespeare's lighter plays, there is always an undercurrent of menace that threatens to sour the revelries. And, in spite of the fact that you know things will turn out all right, you can't help but feel some sense of peril, disgrace, and dishonor for several of the principle characters.
It is probably foolish for me to critique Shakespeare's writing, as he is not the greatest playwright in the history of drama in whatever language you may talk about. I only wish to note that like all his comedies, there are at least three intertwined threads to the plot set in a venue that is almost irrelevant to the plot. While the story takes place in Renaissance Tuscany, it could have as easily be set in any time or place where there is a hereditary nobility, from ancient Rome to 19th Century Russia.
The primary story line is with the love story involving the young Count Claudio and the only child Hero, daughter of the host and owner of the villa at which all the action takes place. Claudio is a vassal to Don Pedro, a prince, and his bastard brother, Don John, who is the villain who poisons the festivities out of resentment toward his recently being passed over for some honor in favor of Don Pedro.
The secondary story line is in the antipathy between Bernardo, another vassal to Don Pedro, and Beatrice, the older cousin to the young Hero. While the story of Claudio and Hero drives the primary action, most of the comedy develops out of the wordplay between Bernardo and Beatrice, reminding us of the relation between the principles in `The Taming of the Shrew'. The best scenes here are where Don Pedro and his co-conspirators contrive to change the antipathy between the two to love by dropping made up stories about the characters while the principles in this plot hide out of sight but within earshot.
The third story line revolves around the sergeant of the guard, Dogberry and his guardsmen who ultimately foil Don John's plot by overhearing Don John's henchmen gloat over their perfidious deceptions to make Don Pedro and Claudio believe Hero is a wonton harlot, not fit for marriage to a nobleman.
A glance at the cover shows a boatload of Hollywood stars that are not well known for their Shakespearean chops. While Branagh leads in the credits, the real star power, based on their current reputations, is held by Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson, and Michael Keaton (although I suspect Keaton's reputation has actually fallen somewhat since the 1997 release of this film). Among these non-Shakespeareans, Washington and Keaton give terrific, albeit small performances in their roles at opposite ends of the social strata. Reeves is pretty much playing to type as a villain cast by birth, in Shakespeare's Renaissance world view, by his birth out of wedlock.
In addition to the stars, much of the heavy lifting is done by Richard Briers, who, I suspect is an English Shakespearean specialist (and BBC TV sitcom actor) plus the much missed Brian Blessed, one of the stars of the great series, `I, Claudius'. The two young actors playing Claudio and Hero are totally eclipsed by Washington, Branagh, Thompson, Briers, and Reeves.
Leaving out the dark scenes in the second and third acts created by Don John's machinations, the movie is an unalloyed lovefest of cinematic festivities. The tone is set even before the initial credits roll when the arrival of Don Pedro and his lords from some undisclosed battle is announced at Briers' Tuscan villa. The arrival is played to the hilt with platoons of villa residents bathing and redressing in fresh cloths while the exuberant lords arrive by horse in a charge that would put a John Wayne cavalry flick to shame.
The movie ends with a similar revelry beautifully filmed from a great height, taking in much of the villa's beautifully manicured grounds. Taking my cue from Shakespeare's title, I have to assume that this is exactly the spirit he had in mind, without the benefit of modern cinematic effects. Of course, that means that Shakespeare had to create all his effects by writing what is unquestionably some of the best dialogue ever written. And, in general, this cast gives this dialogue good service.
While I was hooked on Shakespeare by a live performance of `The Merchant of Venice', this rendition of Shakespeare is an even better introduction. While some of the performances are just a bit underachieving, the overall effect is outstanding. The comic effects by Keaton and his comrades seem to have been borrowed from everyone from Monty Python (phony horse riding) to the Three Stooges (eye gouging and face slapping).
If you have no patience with Shakespearean verse, this performance may not change your mind, but if you are open to enjoying Shakespeare or are a fan already, this performance will please you.
There are very few extras, but then ephemera to a Shakespearean script would certainly be gilding a very precious lily.
Movie Review: Since summer first was leafy...
Summary: 5 Stars
"Much Ado About Nothing" is one of those sparkling adaptations that supposedly couldn't have been done. But Kennneth Branagh (director and star of "Hamlet," and creator of the supremely underrated "Midwinter's Tale") brought an all-star cast in a sparkling Tuscan setting, to bring this tale of bickering loves and sordid betrayals to life as never before.The sullen Don John has just been stopped in a rebellion against his brother Don Pedro, by young hero Claudio. Now all of them (including Don John, whom his brother has forgiven) are arriving in Messina, the home of kindly Leonato. But when they get there, Claudio immediately falls in love with Leonato's beautiful daughter Hero. And despite the efforts of Don John, Don Pedro manages to get the two young lovers together and altar-bound.
But Don Pedro isn't willing to stop there. Hero's cousin Beatrice has a long-running feud with Claudio's pal Benedick -- they insult each other, they bicker, they argue about everything ("It is so indeed -- he is no less than a stuffed man!"). What's more, both of them swear to stay single forever. ("All women shall pardon me -- I shall live a bachelor!") Pedro and the others conspire to get Benedick and Beatrice to somehow fall in love with each other. And at first it seems that everything is going well -- until Don John manages to cast doubt on Hero's honor
There's a certain timeless quality to "Much Ado" -- not just the dialogue, but the simple costumes and the buildings in it. That leaves the audience free to pay more attention to the dialogue and its plot. And what a plot it is! "Much Ado" is brimming over with funny dialogue, dastardly plots, comedic supporting characters and weird pairings. (Beatrice and Benedick are the sort of love-hate couple that a lot of movies try to have, but don't succeed with)
The dialogue is mostly (if not all) Shakespeare's own, but it's not necessary to be a Shakespeare buff to understand what they're saying. It's not dumbed down, either -- it's just spoken as normally as ordinary English. And the Tuscan landscape sparkles with life, passion, and lots of fruit and wine. You don't need to be a fan already to understand and appreciate this movie.
Kenneth Branagh (who also directed and adapted the play) is amazing as Benedick, lovably witty and egotistical; he gets a little silly at times (such as his bird calls or joyous romp in the fountain), but demonstrates his serious ability after Hero is disgraced. the outstanding Emma Thompson is even better as the sharp-tongued Beatrice, a fiery young woman with her own mind and definitely her own mouth. Thompson lashes out Shakespeare's witty lines as easily as if she just thought them up herself; one of her most powerful scenes is here. Denzel Washington (Don Pedro) looks like he's having a great time; Keanu Reeves (Don John) is a bit flat in places, but glowers well enough. Kate Beckinsale's first movie role (Hero) is suitably sweet and adorable. Robert Sean Leonard (Claudio) is the one weak link in the cast; he seems a bit too overwrought and hysterical to be a major hero. (No pun intended)
This movie was unavailable for a very long time and only recently was rereleased on DVD. The DVD is pretty spare; aside from the movie, there are a few DVD promos (for "When Harry Met Sally" and "The Princess Bride" -- both, I notice, comedic romances) and a brief making-of featurette. The featurette doesn't really offer much that is new, but does give some insights into the chosen settings and why the cast wished to do the movie.
Those who enjoyed Branagh's "Hamlet" and "Henry V" will rejoice in "Much Ado About Nothing," the quintessential romantic comedy. Funny, sweet, romantic, and incredibly well-acted, this is a keeper.
Movie Review: Much Ado About The Loves Of Our Past
Summary: 5 Stars
Some people do make much ado about nothing, but maybe that's something. Maybe that's one thing more than nothing.
Beatrice is the smartest girl in the room - any room. Her trouble is that she loves a defiant, bull-headed, and notorious man from her past. And she is betwixt with herself, not liking that she has feelings and concern for her gender rival - Benedick. Beatrice is good humored, disarmingly wickedly tongued, and always torn between her loves and her independence. Benedick is self-involved, conceited, & constantly fighting. "They never meet, but there is a skirmish of wit between them."
Beatrice: I wonder that you will still be talking, Senor Benedick. Nobody marks you.
Benedick: What? My dear Lady Disdain. Are you yet living?
Beatrice: Is it possible Disdain should die while she hath such meat food to feed as her Senor Benedick. Courtesy herself should convert to Disdain if YOU come in her presence.
Benedick: . . . But it is certain that I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted. And I would that I could find in my heart that I had a hard heart, for truly I love none.
Beatrice: A dear happiness to women. They would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor.
I have my favorite movie lines from this DVD recorded on a 16 minute compilation on my iPod. I do this because I'm not smart enough to "get" Shakespeare the first time I hear it. I listen to them repeatedly, not only to try to understand the words, but also to understand the intelligence behind how they were so well acted by Branagh and Thompson. This Shakespearean play succeeds or fails in the casting of Beatrice, and in this version, Emma Thompson plays Beatrice divinely.
At a turning point in the movie, Don Pedro, played capably by Denzel Washingion, visits with a pensive Beatrice. Beatrice is discussing with Don Pedro her past trials with Benedick:
Don Pedro: You have put him down lady. You have put him down.
Beatrice: So I would not he should do me, my lord. Lest I should prove the mother of fools.
Don Pedro: Will you have me lady?
Beatrice: (Carefully) No my lord. Unless I might have another for working days. Your grace is too costly to wear everyday. But I beseech your grace, pardon me. I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.
Don Pedro: Your silence most offends me. And to merry best becomes you, for out of question you were born in a merry hour.
Beatrice: No! Sure my lord. My mother cried. But then there was a star danced. And under that was I born.
Benedick later sililoquys that he will not marry, until he finds all positive attributes he seeks in only one woman.
Smart women tend to be able to recognize gifted men and women who cross their path. Fortunately, most Beatrices encounter a few Benedicks & Beatrices in their travels, and vice versa.
In a final scene, Benedick asks Beatrice, "Then you do not love me?" Beatrice replies, "No! Truly! But in friendly recompense."
There are more good reasons than I can understand why Shakespeare's ideas withstand the tests of time. This film version is so very, very good. As with most Shakespearean comedies and tragedies, the plots hinge on several key misunderstandings. In his romantic tragedies, the misunderstandings (such as Romeo & Juliet) are not discovered until too late. In the comedies, the misunderstandings are discovered in time.
Movie Review: Making Much Ado About this Movie!!
Summary: 5 Stars
+++++
Shakespeare's romantic comedy of "Much Ado About Nothing" (written circa 1598) is best known for its brilliant lovers, the dazzling Beatrice and Benedick. The play itself resembles the screwball comedies of the 1930s and is filled with merriment and
mirth.
Director Kenneth Branagh's movie of the same name captures all of this. He has changed and embellished some scenes but retains Shakespeare's beautiful language as originally written.
There are eight major characters in this movie (as there are in the original play):
1. Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), the genial Prince of Arragon.
2. Don John (Keanu Reeves), his uncommunicative half brother who was born out of wedlock. His presence functions as a contrast to the festive mood of most of the movie.
3. Leonato (Richard Briers), "the white bearded fellow," Governor of Messina.
4. Claudio (Robert S. Leonard), "a proper squire" of Florence, "Monsieur Love," possessed of the "May of youth and bloom of lustihood."
5. Hero (Kate Beckinsale), "Leonato's short daughter," the somewhat colorless foil to Beatrice.
6. Benedick (Branagh), the mirthful young lord of Padura, "of a noble strain, of approved value, and confirmed honesty," but an unsentimental woman-hater; foil to Claudio. "He hath twice or thrice cut Cupid's bowstring, and the little hangman dare not shoot at him."
7. Beatrice (Emma Thompson), niece of Leonato, a "Lady Tongue," but one who on occasion "speaks [daggers] and every word stabs." She is "born to speak all mirth and no matter." As well, she wages a "merry war" with Benedick.
8. Dogberry (Michael Keaton), a pompous, humorous, ridiculous constable of Messina, "one that hath two gowns and everything handsome about him." He can be thought of as an Elizabethan Keystone Kop who, by accident, brings the villains of this movie to justice.
All the above actors do a good job in their roles. However, Branagh and Thompson do exceptional acting jobs as the bickering lovers who throughout the movie exchange insults when it's obvious to everyone but themselves that they are drawn to each other. Special mention should also be given to Michael Keaton as Dogberry, who does a good job in bringing Shakespeare's first great comic creation to life. As well, Denzel Washington does a surprisingly good job as the prince, Don Pedro.
The opening bathhouse scene of this movie is spectacular. The energy apparent in this scene is held throughout the movie.
The scenery and sets are visually stunning. (Filming was at an Italian villa in Tuscany, Italy.) As well, the background music adds to each scene.
Finally, the only main extra is a seven minute making-of featurette. It seems to be just a glorified trailer. There is no need to purchase this DVD if you already have a copy of this movie on DVD without the featurette.
BOTTOM LINE:
This movie is a worthy addition to the Bard's cinematic cannon.
(1993; 1 hr, 50 min; 35 scenes; closed-captioned; widescreen; color)
+++++
Movie Review: Fantastic Feel-Great Rendition of Feel-Good Comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
It's generally difficult to review a Shakespearean production. Not only must you start from the premise that the production is a scaled-down version of a four-hour play, which is by definition a masterpiece, you must also place the production in the context of centuries of other such adaptations ("Is Derek Jacobi's version of "Hamlet" better than Olivier's?"). All this baggage can make a review difficult - do you let the context of the production interfere with your review of its actual execution?
Other times it's easy, and Kenneth Branagh's film version of "Much Ado About Nothing" is a sure-fire five star production from start to finish. Branagh has set this tale of romance-and-nonsense in the definitive beautiful Tuscan villa and filled it with beautiful people (Emma Thompson is particularly radiant, and Denzel Washington virtually glows in his role as the Prince). Romantic, rousing music dominates the soundtrack, and nary a cloud mars the picturesque Tuscan views. A more perfect setting for a romantic comedy is hard to imagine.
It is also difficult to imagine a better cast for this film. Ms. Thompson and Branagh are perfectly matched as wits who profess to abhore love and yet are irresistably drawn together. Denzel Washington is surprisingly comfortable with the Shakespearean rhythms, as is the young Kate Beckinsale. Branagh, of course, has his usual suspects in the cast as well, including Brian Blessed and Richard Briers, ensuring top-notch performances in supporting roles. And Robert Sean Leanord fulfills the promise he showed in "Dead Poets Society" as a Shakespearean actor.
There are two polarizing performances in this movie. One is Michael Keaton's Dogberry, the most laughable policeman ever to walk a Tuscan beat. Keaton approaches Dogberry with the same zeal as he brought to Beetlejuice, and the combination of sincerity, madness, and idiocy he invests in Dogberry make all the malapropisms perfectly appropriate. Sure, he chews some scenery, but that's how the character was written.
Even more polarizing is Keanu Reeves as Don John, the villain of the piece. Many have criticized Reeves' performance as wooden (and worse), but I think it appropriate and well-measured. Don John, by his own admission, is not a man of many words, and it is believable that his anger derives at being overshadowed by so many luminaries. And since this is a comedy, Don John is not expected to rise to the heights of villainy obtained by Shakespeare's other creations, such as Iago. Don John is supposed to be a mild threat to the order of things, an impediment to allow love to ultimately triumph, not a monster. It's easy to pick on Mr. Reeves, but I'm more upset with him for the "Matrix" sequels than for his performance here.
A hugely entertaining clash of the sexes revolving around the trials and tribulations of young love conquering all, "Much Ado About Nothing" lives up to its title. Far from Shakespeare's most serious work, he still manages to do more with it than most mortal writers could dare to dream. A must for the film library!