I'll admit I never much cared for Much Ado About Nothing. Perhaps it was the dull study of the play, which seems a highlight of most Shakespeare courses, perhaps it stemmed from my fascination with Shakespeare's dramatic and historic works but my distaste for his comedic pieces.
Perhaps it was because I never saw a good version of this play until this film came along. Now, I choose to watch it because there was little else on and I was confident that Branagh would give me SOMETHING to look at, even though I was not a Much Ado fan.
And coming in, I found it quite dull, until Emma Thompson and Branagh squared off for the first time. Then I realized this was one of the most brilliant Shakespeare films yet created. Thompson and Branagh are completely ideal as opposites of one another. I found myself craving for them to be on screen when they were not, and I found myself caught up utterly in the film, even though I knew what the inevitable conclusion would be.
And afterwards, I immedietly went and ordered the film. If you're a Shakespeare fan then, yes, it is -that- good. It is a perfect example of why Branagh's works are so incredibly enjoyable. Now, it is not the spectacular unabridged delight that is Branagh's Hamlet, but it has plenty to do and see. From Keanu Reeves as the villain Don John and Denzel Washington (a very WORTHY actor for Shakespeare) as Don Pedro to the aforementioned Branagh and Thompson, this cast is finely assembled.
This is a film that I heartily recommend to anyone. If you've never seen a good production of Much Ado, or if you don't think you like Shakespeare much, I encourage you to watch this film. It may not change your mind, but boy is it ever a fun movie.
Perhaps it was because I never saw a good version of this play until this film came along. Now, I choose to watch it because there was little else on and I was confident that Branagh would give me SOMETHING to look at, even though I was not a Much Ado fan.
And coming in, I found it quite dull, until Emma Thompson and Branagh squared off for the first time. Then I realized this was one of the most brilliant Shakespeare films yet created. Thompson and Branagh are completely ideal as opposites of one another. I found myself craving for them to be on screen when they were not, and I found myself caught up utterly in the film, even though I knew what the inevitable conclusion would be.
And afterwards, I immedietly went and ordered the film. If you're a Shakespeare fan then, yes, it is -that- good. It is a perfect example of why Branagh's works are so incredibly enjoyable. Now, it is not the spectacular unabridged delight that is Branagh's Hamlet, but it has plenty to do and see. From Keanu Reeves as the villain Don John and Denzel Washington (a very WORTHY actor for Shakespeare) as Don Pedro to the aforementioned Branagh and Thompson, this cast is finely assembled.
This is a film that I heartily recommend to anyone. If you've never seen a good production of Much Ado, or if you don't think you like Shakespeare much, I encourage you to watch this film. It may not change your mind, but boy is it ever a fun movie.
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