Much Ado About Nothing
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Movie Reviews of Much Ado About Nothing
Movie Review: Definitely a keeper here....
Summary: 5 Stars
Branagh again shows his brilliance as the premier Shakespearean adaptation director of our time. He uses an imaginative cast and some dreamily beautiful scenery and music to create a movie that is light hearted, funny and escapist (which is a good thing is these dark times). Denzel is wonderful as the lovingly charming and self-assured Prince Don Pedro. Quite frankly I never suspected he could do Shakespeare so easily and sexily. Branagh is not quite as good an actor as he is directing, but his witty and quick tempered Benedick has the right contrast of insecurity and aplomb. In my book though, he will never top his portrayal of Henry V. I've always had a huge crush on Emma Thompson and her performance here is nothing short of amazing; direct, passionate (I loved the teary scene after Hero's unwarranted disgrace, funny and wishful. I hardly know Robert Sean Leonard but I thought his naive and boyish portrayal of Claudio was quite appropriate to the role. He didn't steal scenes from Washington or Branagh but I think he was true to the play. Despite what many would say, I was pleasantly surprised by Keanu Reeves as the evil plotting Don John. He definitely looked the roguish part and his delivery is meant to show the limitations of the character (not that of the actor) as Shakespeare wrote the role. My only disappontment was that of Michael Keaton as the Constable Dogberry. I didn't appreciate his attempt at Beetlejuice humor and I thought a Geoffery Rush here would have done much better justice to this humorous and juicy role. Moreover, he kept jumbling his words so I could hardly understand what he was saying. The rest of the supporting cast were quite good especially Kate Beckinsale (Hero). This movie and it's DVD version is a must see classic for all Shakespeare fans.
Movie Review: SHAKESPEARE AND KENNETH BRANAGH'S MUTUAL TRIUMPH
Summary: 5 Stars
Kenneth Branagh wrote, directed and starred in this most joyful of all romantic comedies. It is much ado about nothing, because misunderstanding abounds, especially between confirmed bachelor, Benedick (Branagh), and scornfully disinterested Beatrice (Emma Thompson, who was married to Branagh at the time). The prince, Don Pedro of Aragon (Denzel Washington), arrives at the home of Signor Leonato (Richard Briars) in Tuscany for a long vacation. He brings with him a coterie of his soldiers, including his disgruntled half-brother, Don Jon (Keanu Reeves). When Benedick and Beatrice swear that they will never fall in love with anyone and will always remain single, Don Pedro and his friends plan a lovers trap to bring them together. Two of their party have already fallen to Cupid's arrow: Beatrice's cousin Hero, played by Kate Beckinsale, and Claudio, played by Robert Sean Leonard. There is also a plot afoot by Don Jon to break up this upcoming wedding by spreading false rumors about Hero. Before it's all over, there is quite a tempest in the nuptial teapot.
This is Branagh second extremely successful Shakespearian film, the first being Henry V. Both are exquisitely staged, photographed and acted. This one is unique in that it exudes more joy than I've ever seen in a film. From the opening credits to the final wedding celebration, there is a feeling of gleeful bliss. This film was nominated for no Academy Awards that I am aware of, though it was certainly worthy. When I sold my VHS collection several years ago to replace it with DVD's, more people wanted Much Ado than any other film. Why it was overlooked by the Academy is unclear, but there will probably never be a better or more faithful rendering of this wonderful play.
Waitsel Smith
Movie Review: Kenneth Branagh is a literary genius!
Summary: 5 Stars
Do you like Shakespeare? Do you like comedies? Did you read Much Ado About Nothing and find it to be the work of a literary genius? Then you will love this movie!
Kenneth Branagh not only directed he starred in this delightful comedy. If you read the book then you must, you simply must give the movie a try. The interpretation is brilliant. They copied it word for word, yet when you see someone say those words they take on a whole new meaning and come to life. This in my opinion is one of the funniest Shakespearean comedies.
When watching this movie you will embark on a tale of misunderstandings and mishaps. You will see plots of evil and plots of love. The passion, the humor, the heated debates, the silliness of it all. It will delight you I am sure!
If you have not read the book this might help:
The Scenario: Two lovely cousins await the return of the gallant men off at war. One awaits the one she loves, while the other awaits the one she despises. The two in love (Hero and Claudio)are planning to marry. While they wait for the big day, they decide to trick the other two who despise each other into falling in love. BUT, of course, nothing goes as planned, and a terrible mishap occurs. Who is tricking who? AS always, in Shakesperare there are many twists. ANd the course of true love will not run smooth.
Such a wonderful cast, even though it is a comedy you have the comedy relief played by Michael Keaton (Dogberry) He is the funniest one out of all of them! The scenery is beautiful too, and such gorgeous music, listen to the soundtrack!
See for yourself how funny it really is!
Movie Review: Branagh Does Another Fine Shakespeare!
Summary: 5 Stars
1993's "Much Ado About Nothing" is Kenneth Branagh's superb film rendering of Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy. Veteran Shakespeare actors Branagh, Emma Thompson, and Brian Blessed are joined by veteran Hollywood actors Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton. The movie features the then-young actors Keanu Reeves, Robert Sean Leondard, and Kate Beckinsale.
The movie is set at a sun-drenched and sumptious villa in Tuscany, where all have assembled for the pending wedding of Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) and Hero (Kate Beckinsale). To the pass the time before the wedding, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington) sets up a romantic trap for the confirmed bachelor Benedick (Branagh) and his arch nemesis Beatrice (Thompson), who delight in their verbal tormenting of each other. Don Pedro allows the two to believe that each is intent on wooing the other. This deception is the heart of the movie, as through some delightful dialogue and hilarious scenes, Beatrice and Benedick arrive at a new appreciation of each other.
The romantic mood is almost spoiled by Don Juan (Keanu Reeves), who seeks to undermine the relationship of Claudio and Hero by suggesting that Hero has been unfaithful. Reeves looks uncomfortable with the material and his wooden performance as the villian shows it. Fortunately, the local sheriff (Michael Keaton), a bumbling, manic barrage of malapropisms, uncovers Don Juan's plot and saves the day.
This overlooked movie is highly recommended to fans of Shakespeare and Kenneth Branagh's film adaptations of them.
Movie Review: Ken and Em in Tuscany
Summary: 5 Stars
After swearing that they will never marry anyone, let alone each other, two bickering "friends", Beatrice (Emma Thompson) and Benedick (Kenneth Branagh), end up falling in love after each is falsely led to believe that the other is in love with them.
Given the fact that neither of his most recent Shakespearean adaptations have received so much as a DVD release out here (Australia), let alone a cinema release, it is hard to imagine that there was once a time when Kenneth Branagh was hailed as being the next Laurence Olivier. However, back in the 1990's, Kenneth Branagh did manage to produce some of the best Shakespearean adaptations ever made, the best of which being the 4-hour "Hamlet" and this version of "Much Ado About Nothing".
"Much Ado About Nothing" is rare among Shakespeare's comedies in that it is actually funny, thus making it one of Shakespeare's most accessible plays, and Kenneth Branagh has a gift for making Shakespeare understandable to anyone, even someone who has never encountered "the Bard" before. Not all of the actors are up to the same standard as Branagh (Kate Beckinsale, in an early film role, is notably wooden), but this is more than made up for by Branagh and Thompson. Branagh and Thompson are both excellent actors in anything in which they appear, but they are at their best when appearing together. When this film was made, they were married to each other and the chemistry between them is something beautiful. I have always considered it to be a great tragedy that their marriage didn't last.