About Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Full of “sparkling merriment” (The Hollywood Reporter), this sexy, sunny comedy positively sizzles as one set of lovers battles against a dirty trick, and another set simply battleseach other! Adapted by Oscar® nominee* Kenneth Branagh and featuring an all-star cast, this charming romp “casts the battle of the sexes in the form of an elegant dance” (The New York Times). A military war has just ended, but the “merry war” between Beatrice (Emma Thompson) and Benedick (Branagh) rages on! Can their friends trick them into making love instead? For that matter, can another couple’s devotion survive the evil Don John’s (Keanu Reeves) vicious lies? It’s up to the blundering constable (Michael Keaton) to save the day so that the course of true love may yet run smooth!
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Briers
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Runtime: 104 minutes
Studio: MGM
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Review: Much Ado About Nothing
Gone are the days for me when William Shakespeare used to be an ordeal. I had a taste of the great man’s work at school, college and university. There was no escaping Will as I was growing up and my issues with him at the time were the difficulties in understanding the plays. While I don’t always understand every word even now I do appreciate just how integral he is to world literature. Mrs B recommended Kenneth Branagh’s take on Much Ado About Nothing and having not yet read the play I was happy to give it a try.
The film centres a visit made by Don Pedro (Denzil Washington) and a group of nobleman to the house of Leonato (Richard Briers) in Messina. What begins as a pleasant social gathering sees romance in the air with young count, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), finding Leonato’s daughter, Hero (Kate Beckinsale), as fair as he remembered before going to fight in a war. Don Pedro is quick to orchestrate a union between the two and wedding is soon planned. Don Pedro doesn’t count on his scheming half-brother Don John (Keanu Reeves) who plots to ruin the wedding plans and scupper Don Pedro’s plans. Amidst this intrigue are Leonato’s headstrong niece, Beatrice (Emma Thompson), with an aversion for men and Don Pedro’s friend and nobleman, Benedick (Kenneth Branagh), who has an aversion for women.
The film opens with Don Pedro’s arrival at Governor Leonato’s house and much excitement is in the air amongst the household at the prospect of many nobles dining amongst them. From the early introductions it is clear that Benedick and Beatrice have some history between them but in the present both are equally dismissive and impolite of another, quite content to stay out of each other’s way. Everyone is too caught up in the proposed union between Claudio and Hero to heed the warning signs from the evil Don John who is far from content with his status, being second to his esteemed half-brother and even having less privilege in Don Pedro’s eyes than the promising Claudio. With happiness heading the way of Claudio and Hero, Don John decides to try and ruin the wedding by driving a fierce wedge between the young couple.
Amidst the wedding plans, Don Pedro and Leonato hatch a plan to force a union between Benedick and Beatrice. Given their dislike for one another and lack of interest in the opposite sex this seems an impossible task. Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio choose their moment carefully. Sitting in the Governor’s gardens they speak loudly of Beatrice’s love for Benedick, knowing the verbose nobleman is in earshot though he hides and listens in. Hero plays the same trick on Beatrice, having her overhear talk of Benedick’s love for her and before we know it both Benedick and Beatrice are suddenly uncertain about their feelings for one another and it becomes a confusing time. The course of true love is never smooth, especially in Shakespeare, and when Don John’s plan to ruin the wedding succeeds it seems all hope is lost for Claudio and Hero, but also for Benedick and Beatrice.
Much Ado About Nothing is a fun and well acted adaptation of Shakespeare. Branagh is a specialist in the Bard’s work and doesn’t really put a foot wrong with his direction and portrayal of Benedick who is a great talker and fierce verbal sparrer at the outset but once he hears Beatrice loves him he begins to waver. Thompson is delightful as Beatrice, matching the ferocity of Benedick in the verbal exchanges and not being the sort of woman that sits around waiting for a husband, she is clearly independent and confident of managing without a man in her life, until she believes Benedick loves her! The rest of the cast are all very good with some great turns from Washington, Briers, Leonard and an amusing appearance from Michael Keaton while Keanu Reeves is effective as the evil Don John.
Much Ado About Nothing is a funny, romantic and dramatic Shakespeare adaptation boasting some good performance and great set-pieces. Perhaps not as vivid in the memory as a story like Romeo and Juliet and with an easy resolution in the end, this is still a lot of fun.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
