Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing

[dANdeLION]

I saw this and really enjoyed it. I of course am familiar with the story, and have seen at least one version of it before (the one with Denzel in it). This one was better, IMO. It started off oddly, as it's set in modern times, filmed in black & white, and the dialogue is totally Shakespearean. Anyway, it was a cool flick, with some hilarious scenes.

[Cail]

That sounds awesome.

To Netflix!

[peter]

I loved the Brannagh version; It was my first Shakespear and it was bright and fun and the start was beautiful. For this very reason I'm almost loath to see the above version, but of course I will. It's not regarded amongst Shakespears best work I think - but as an introduction to the Bard it couldn't serve him better. There is more complexity to the work than many give it credit for - the sepparation of the two story threads into prose and poetry being a case in point - and perhaps it will do me good to see a version that is more 'shakespearian' in it's presentation. I loved the previous film so much I wouldn't want anything to spoil it for me is all.

[Menolly]

Peter, SD and Dam-sel introduced me to the Brannagh version earlier this year. I knew nothing of the play prior to that. Having Denzel play Don Pedro and Keanu play Don John confused me for awhile; but again, I didn't even know the story. However, I did like the way it was staged.

We saw Wheadon's version in the theater. It was very different in staging, and a bit challenging to parse at first with, as dAN mentioned, it being set in modern times and being filmed in black and white vis a vis Shakespearean dialog. But, as much as I think Brannagh, Thompson, Washington, et. al. are all gifted actors, I think Wheadon's version is better acted and directed.

...and I love the exchange of modern jokes for some of the Shakespearean jokes. Keep your eye open for the "car keys" one, for example.

[sgt.null]

Brannagh's Richard is a must viewing.

[peter]

Brannagh can do Shakespear with a light touch, and exels at doing so in the medium of film. I've never seen a stage version of his, so can't comment on that. I loved his 'Loves Labours Lost' (though no-one else did ). One of his films to look out for [not Shakespear but related] is 'A Mid-Winter's Tale [In the Bleak Mid-Winter' in the UK] - a film that he directs about the staging of a production of 'Hamlet' in a remote church-hall by a group of ham actors. A funny and moving story.

What worries me about Wheadon's 'Much Ado...' is that it sounds as though he has (either) taken the 'joy' out of the play (black and white?),(or) not put it in in the way that Brannagh did. Also I have a problem with the idea that Benedick and Beatrice are just re-hashing a relationship that they have formerly consumated. One of the great joys of the play is the pair's discovery that even in the face of their aparrent opposit, love will make the running according to *it's* wont. Why would a director sacrifice that (even in the face of the lines that apparently show this to be the case). BUT - I'm putting the horse befor the cart! Let's see the film with an open mind and then do the dissection afterward.

[I'm Murrin]

It's Whedon.