MovieChat Forums > Much Ado About Nothing (2013) Discussion > Adorable adaptation of. Shakespearean Co...

Adorable adaptation of. Shakespearean Comedy

posted 11 years ago by kaddiea001
3 replies | jump to latest

The first time I saw it, I kept comparing it to Branagh's version, and with that comparison it fell flat to me. Let's face it - Shakespeare has a meter, a rhythm to his works that we Americans fail to execute as well as the British.

However, after a second viewing, I have to admit that I am thoroughly charmed by Whedon's version. There are little touches that make this movie a great rendition because they make the movie feel like something that could have happened to any of us or a story that a friend might share with us over a drink. Whether it's Hero's father being gently nudged out of his hangover from the party the night before, or the Prince's men being assigned to a child's bedroom full of teddy bears, all of these touches lend a fun, contemporary feel to this centuries old play.

Even the delivery of the lines by the actors - though not with the British appreciation for the meter - is well done because it embraces the concept of the play as something that is eternally relevant despite the 16th century vocabulary.

All in all, a film that I am happy to add to my collection.

[–] dsrtrosy-1 11 years ago

I thought Whedon's signature attention to detail was the perfect foil to Shakespeare's amazing language and the well-known story. The music was perfect, and other than a couple of not-so-perfect deliveries, the acting was nuanced and thoughtful. Very enjoyable!

[–] Ephisus 10 years ago

Branagh uses plenty of Americans. The nationality of the actors is not the problem.

[–] trinitymplayers 10 years ago

Except for the slightly distracting hodgepodge of accents. Branagh tried to justify by pointing out that many of the characters came from different regions (ie. Benedick comes from Padua, Claudio from Florence, Don Pedro and Don John from Arragon, etc.). In this movie, at least the majority of the cast were North American, so there was no such distraction.