Much Ado About Nothing
By: William Shakespeare
This is one of Shakespeare's funniest comedies. It is a common theme among love stories… two people who hate each other end up falling in love.
Claudio and Hero are soon to be married. They love each other very much and will have a hard time waiting! But their friend, the Don Pedro has concocted a marvelous plan to help time fly by. Hero's cousin Beatrice and Claudio's best friend, Benedick love to hate each other. They throw insults at one another… witty insults! ("What, my Lady Disdain still alive I see?" "Is it possible that Lady Disdain should die when she has such meat food to feed upon in the form of Senor Benedick?"). But the schemers are going to attempt the almost impossible, to make Beatrice think Benedick is madly in love with her and Benedick think Beatrice loves him.
It is working out like a charm. It appears that everyone shall be happy when Don Pedro's half brother comes with a disturbing tale. If his tale can be trusted? Don John is, in his own words, "a right and true villain." But do the rest know this? Something dark is working against Hero and Claudio's happiness? Will it end the mirth… or will it all prove to be… Much Ado About Nothing?
JGet a copy of the play!
Movies Based on the Book.
I have seen one movie based on the play.
Actors: Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Kate Beckinsale, Robert Sean Leonard and Denzel Washington
Company: Renaissance Films Productions
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Year: 1993
Acting: Except for one of the actors: superb! Robert Sean Leonard, who plays Claudio, really cannot act in my opinion. He really did not add much to the film… the rest however! They were great!
Filming:
Filmed in Tuscany, where Shakespeare set the play. Great filming!
Screenplay:
Kenneth Branagh does a wonderful job with Shakespeare! Everything said in this movie is Shakespeare… but it is said so marvelously and at the right time!
Things you might not like about this movie:
Err… this is where the bad stuff comes in. I would highly recommend an edited version of this film. We fast-forward through three scenes… one is an open bathing scene, I don’t' know what the other is, and the last one is just totally disgusting, immoral, etc.
Rating: PG-13
So… In closing. Check this movie out from the library or rent it before purchasing it. I know it's not good business to say that J , but there are those three scenes you can't shrug off.
