Much Ado About Nothing (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'Much Ado about Nothing' is writer/director/producer/actor Kenneth Branagh's 1993 adaptation of one of William Shakespeare's best-known comedies. A follow-up to Branagh's dour prior offering {Henry V}, this hit movie is a jovial romp through Shakespeare's light romance, filmed with enthusiasm & mastery in Tuscany's gorgeous countryside. Centered upon 2 romances - Hero & Claudio (Kate Beckinsale, Robert Sean Leonard), and Beatrice & Benedick (Emma Thompson, filmmaker Kenneth Branagh; then married in real life) - the plot follows these very differing courtships.
For young Hero & Claudio, it is pure love at first sight and, as with most sudden attractions, they have much to learn about one another before their wedding in just one week's time. To pass that time, they conspire with the dignified Don Pedro (Denzel Washington) to set a 'lover's trap' for feisty Beatrice & pompous confirmed bachelor Benedick, have known each other for quite a while and, it takes some prodding from their friends to push these friendly sparring partners into realizing their mutual amorous feelings ... and to admit them. All the while, Don Pedro's dastardly brother, Don Jon (Keanu Reeves), conspires to break-up the ensuing wedding by accusing innocent Hero of infidelity. But despite all the treachery trickery & treachery, love triumphs and, in the end, it all turns out to be ... 'much ado about nothing'.
For those who find Shakespeare works to be too impermeable {even his comedies}, THIS is the movie to check out. It isn't just the witty lines of dialogue that produce laughter, but the manner with which the line are set-up & delivered is what brings the humor home. Facial expressions & full body actions play a large part in this comedy and, those are the kinds of comedic elements that aren't even on the written page; credit Branagh's direction & the actors for that. But this film also contains a fair share of drama, pathos & poignancy; all of which come as naturally as the humor does.
The vitality of this production is off-the-charts. The visual, aural, & verbal storytelling moves the film along with a breezy energy that makes it easy to get caught up in the experience. To keep the movie humming at a good pace {and under 2 hours in length}, several cuts/changes are made to the source material; but that's okay, as the meat of the story is there, and no characters are short-changed -- Branagh takes pains to maintain the play's spirit. Roger Lanser's cinematography is bright & rich, Phyllis Dalton's breezy, yet elaborate costumes are awards-worthy, & music composer Patrick Doyle {who has a role in the film} provides a melodically genius score that is used in many pop culture instances for cinematic purposes - as well as figure skater Tonya Harding's Short Program in 1994's Lillehammer Olympics, ha.
Emma Thompson & Kenneth Branagh turn in sparkling performances with chemistry to spare. Denzel Washington delivers Don Pedro's lines with the same comfort that we would see years later in The Tragedy of Macbeth; he's got The Bard's language down-pat. Robert Sean Leonard - effective in Dead Poets Society - is capable as dashing young lover, Claudio. Kate Beckinsale is lovely as Hero. Veterans Richard Briers {so good}, Brian Blessed, Phyllida Law {Thompson's mother}, & Imelda Staunton aid the proceedings. And Michael Keaton is great as the crowd-pleasing, over-the-top Constable Dogberry. 'Much Ado about Nothing' is just an exuberant, joyful gem of a movie; breathing life & warmth into this amusing, and lavish production.
For young Hero & Claudio, it is pure love at first sight and, as with most sudden attractions, they have much to learn about one another before their wedding in just one week's time. To pass that time, they conspire with the dignified Don Pedro (Denzel Washington) to set a 'lover's trap' for feisty Beatrice & pompous confirmed bachelor Benedick, have known each other for quite a while and, it takes some prodding from their friends to push these friendly sparring partners into realizing their mutual amorous feelings ... and to admit them. All the while, Don Pedro's dastardly brother, Don Jon (Keanu Reeves), conspires to break-up the ensuing wedding by accusing innocent Hero of infidelity. But despite all the treachery trickery & treachery, love triumphs and, in the end, it all turns out to be ... 'much ado about nothing'.
For those who find Shakespeare works to be too impermeable {even his comedies}, THIS is the movie to check out. It isn't just the witty lines of dialogue that produce laughter, but the manner with which the line are set-up & delivered is what brings the humor home. Facial expressions & full body actions play a large part in this comedy and, those are the kinds of comedic elements that aren't even on the written page; credit Branagh's direction & the actors for that. But this film also contains a fair share of drama, pathos & poignancy; all of which come as naturally as the humor does.
The vitality of this production is off-the-charts. The visual, aural, & verbal storytelling moves the film along with a breezy energy that makes it easy to get caught up in the experience. To keep the movie humming at a good pace {and under 2 hours in length}, several cuts/changes are made to the source material; but that's okay, as the meat of the story is there, and no characters are short-changed -- Branagh takes pains to maintain the play's spirit. Roger Lanser's cinematography is bright & rich, Phyllis Dalton's breezy, yet elaborate costumes are awards-worthy, & music composer Patrick Doyle {who has a role in the film} provides a melodically genius score that is used in many pop culture instances for cinematic purposes - as well as figure skater Tonya Harding's Short Program in 1994's Lillehammer Olympics, ha.
Emma Thompson & Kenneth Branagh turn in sparkling performances with chemistry to spare. Denzel Washington delivers Don Pedro's lines with the same comfort that we would see years later in The Tragedy of Macbeth; he's got The Bard's language down-pat. Robert Sean Leonard - effective in Dead Poets Society - is capable as dashing young lover, Claudio. Kate Beckinsale is lovely as Hero. Veterans Richard Briers {so good}, Brian Blessed, Phyllida Law {Thompson's mother}, & Imelda Staunton aid the proceedings. And Michael Keaton is great as the crowd-pleasing, over-the-top Constable Dogberry. 'Much Ado about Nothing' is just an exuberant, joyful gem of a movie; breathing life & warmth into this amusing, and lavish production.