Much Ado About Nothing (2013)

By coincidence, I saw "West Side Story" for the first time just days before I saw Joss Whedon's "Much Ado About Nothing". I enjoy a modernization of Shakespeare much better than a film that tries to be original from Shakespeare while still retaining the same story that he wrote. I first studied the play "Much Ado About Nothing" in my first year of university and I saw Kenneth Branagh's 1993 film version around the same time. Because it has been so long since I have seen the 1993 version, I can't tell which one I like better. I did enjoy Whedon's movie because of the physical comedy and other moments of humor. From the moment I saw the first preview, I was excited to see the director of "The Avengers" who is also an Oscar-nominated screenwriter take on Shakespeare. The acting in this film was also noteworthy. While the movie was good, it may not appeal to all audiences due to the use of Shakespearean language.

The use of black and white is very important. Modernization of Shakespeare and color can work as seen in "Romeo + Juliet" but Whedon decision allows us to easily accept the modernization. Similarly, the use handheld camera shots create a more realistic feeling. It is as if we are physically there watching, just as if this were a play on a stage. I like the cinematography of the moment when Don John lies to Claudio in the pool by the way. I noticed a lot of drinking in this movie, which may justify this classic story for a modern audience. The fact that the characters are always drunk might make the story plausible for those watching it but as for myself, I didn't need the characters always holding wine glasses. It did add a romantic feeling to the whole film though. I like Don John's first scene in which his villainy is made known to the audience. Altering the scene so that Conrade is Don John's lover was an interesting choice. It works with the lines being spoken in the scene and the sensuality makes Don John a great villain. Another small change with the story is that Benedict and Beatrice had a previous relationship in this version but the original Shakespearean text again remains unchanged. The funniest moment for me in "Much Ado About Nothing" was with the line, "Come, shall we hear this music." Leonato, Claudio and Don Pedro then pass a piano and turn an iPod on. The piano is there on purpose to make the moment funnier than without it. This scene is also where we get a lot of physical humor. The same goes for Beatrice when she overhears Hero and Margaret talking about Benedict. I enjoy how Claudio goes overboard in his lying with Benedict overhearing. As we move into the second half of the film, things get out of hand as the wedding falls apart. I love how Don John takes a cupcake as Claudio, Don Pedro and himself leave. I also take note of the costume change for Claudio and Don Petro during second half. They are in darker colors. I was excited for the Dogberry scenes and they were funny but I think I liked Michael Keaton more as Dogberry in the 1993 film. The malapropisms of the character were more apparent when he performed the character. I did enjoy very much the "good cop, bad cop" approach to Act 4: Scene 2 with Dogberry and Verges. I was hoping that we would see Don John being taken into custody because in the original play, it is mentioned only. Both in the 1993 version and in this version, we see the arrest. I like that it is by way of an Internet video in this film.

Because of its low budget, many of the cast members in "Much Ado About Nothing" have worked for Whedon before. The most predominant members of the cast who were also in "The Avengers" for example are Alexis Denisof, Clark Gregg, Ashley Johnson and Jillian Morgese (Denisof was the servant of Thanos by the way). Gregg is in the movie because the original actor for the role of Leonato was occupied. Ashley Johnson was one of the voice actors on "Recess", a cartoon I would watch as a kid on Saturday mornings. She has grown a lot from the last time I saw video of her back in 2000 and I didn't recognize her in "The Avengers" until I wrote this review. Just as Kate Beckinsale made her film debut as Hero in Branagh's version, this is Morgese's first major film role as Hero. The best performance from any actor in "Much Ado About Nothing" was Fran Kranz's. I love the moment in Act 2: Scene I when Claudio is surprised to hear that Hero will be his wife. He is surprised and confused but obviously happy. His romantic delivery of the following lines is proof that Shakespeare will never lose his place in history:

"Silence is the perfectest herald of joy

I were but little happy, if I could say how much.

Lady, as you are mine, I am yours

I give away myself for you and dote upon the exchange."

Those lines are just as romantic today as they were in 1623. Another great moment of Kranz's is when Claudio learns that Hero is dead. He is sad and remorseful but his outward expression is quite reserved. It is an interesting choice on his part. Of course, once he sees Hero, his joy is apparent. We see that inside his soul, Claudio was in despair. Whedon's list of credits for this film is impressive. He was the director, co-producer, screenwriter, co-editor and most impressive: the composer. The music he composed for the song lyrics that Shakespeare wrote for this play is remarkable and very unique when compared to the songs in the 1993 film.

"Much Ado About Nothing" was filmed at Whedon's home in Santa Monica because he always wanted to shoot something there. The filming was done while Whedon was on a 12-day vacation from post-production on "The Avengers" and the movie was made in secret. After seeing it, the film was fun but it probably will be boring for those not familiar with Shakespeare. I liked the comedy that Whedon brought to this classic play and the acting was good. I like Shakespeare but I am not a die-hard fan as so I probably will not buy this movie. I wouldn't mind seeing it again though.

3.5 Stars