Much Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing had, I thought-- still think -- it's perfect telling in the Kenneth Brannagh/ Emma Thompson movie over 20 years ago, which I've seen more often than probably any other movie. But Joss Whedon has made a new version in modern dress with a totally charming Amy Acker as Beatrice. The movie was shot in at some large country house in 12 days, with hand held black and white film. Acker was truly wonderful -- the others were too.  I was, for a while, confused about which man was which because it's in modern dress and all those guys in suits and ties  addled me, especially when Benedict shaved off his beard. 

But the cast was well rehearsed, the play is constantly witty and funny. I'm sorry the "ass" of a local sheriff and his cronies were difficult to hear and understand because their scenes are hilarious. Obviously it's the kind of movie that will be shown only in art houses but it's very worth seeing, the audience enjoyed it as much as I did.  I'm still  fondest of the earlier version in color and period dress but this was a great afternoon's entertainment.

Much Ado About Nothing

A wonderful antedote to my Tosca angst -- my third viewing of Kenneth Brannagh's movie version of Much Ado About Nothing. This is one of the happiest movies I've ever seen. I was reminded of that especially in the scene with both Beatrice and Benedict realized they were in love. Beatrice swings like a child up into the sky and back and forth and Benedict walks around in a fountain splashing water about like a child. They are not being childish; they are, like children, totally lost in the joy of discovering love. Right from the opening scene, when the workers in the vineyards hear the victorious soldier are going to visit them, they react with spontaneous joy. The audience knows immediately what the theme of this movie/story is going to be -- rarely do we see a movie with more scenes of happiness. I'm sure I could add others, immediately a scene from Mama Mia comes to mind with dancing and singing. But it is rare that movie makers make joy a major component -- and not only youthful joy, we see it in the faces of the older characters as well, a joie de vivre. This makes the movie very special and possibly the only one I've ever seen three times.