When I first heard of Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing project, I flailed around like a maniac because I couldn’t contain my glee. My favorite director – let alone one of my most powerful muses – was going to shoot a version of a Shakespeare play? Sign me up! I didn’t need to know the casting or anything else about it, because I was already sold. Just like that.
However, now that I’ve seen the film, my glee has grown into a full-fledged nerd boner that won’t go away. Much Ado About Nothing is like a sexual enhancement pill for any moviegoer who enjoys impeccable acting, a balanced mix of comedy and drama, or gorgeous visual elements. Even if you can’t stand Shakespeare and you don’t have a clue what the play is about, this film will be a delight from start to finish.
(Brief play synopsis for the unfamiliar reader/viewer: Much Ado About Nothing centers on two couples with polar opposite views of love. Benedick and Beatrice, who are both too cynical to admit they believe in love, interact by trying to outwit each other; Claudio and Hero, on the other hand, fall head-over-heels in love and can’t wait to get married. Comedy and drama ensues as secondary characters get involved and complicate matters for both couples.)
That’s not to say the rest of the cast was bad, of course. I think Alexis Denisof is the shiniest diamond in this case, but every other actor shines as well. Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse) played the ultimate Beatrice to his Benedick – witty, confident, and jaded – and she seemed to effortlessly transition between moods. When Alexis and Amy are on camera together, make sure you’re paying attention. The scenes between Benedick and Beatrice are among the best in the film, and it would be a shame if you missed such damn good cinema because you had to find the gooiest piece of popcorn in your bucket or something.
Anyway, Much Ado About Nothing also boasts Nathan Fillion as Dogberry, Clark Gregg as Leonato, Fran Kranz as Claudio, Sean Maher as Don John, and Reed Diamond as Don Pedro. Each of the aforementioned actors gets the chance to show his range, and it’s so much fun to watch. Want to see Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle) play a clumsy cop? Have you ever wondered how Clark Gregg (Agents of SHIELD) would portray a politician and father? Or maybe you’ve always longed to see Sean Maher (Firefly, Serenity) as a dashing villain? It doesn’t matter who you focus on, because everyone nails their characters and brings the story to life.
The actors are so notable, this movie could have been shot just about anywhere and still made an impression. But it wasn’t shot just anywhere – it was made entirely at Joss Whedon’s beautiful home in Santa Monica. And you know something? It works! It really does. The scenery never gets stale because we never see the exact progression twice, which sort of tricks us into seeing a brand-new room every scene. Not to mention, they use natural lighting to their advantage and complement the black-and-white film.
I could probably rave about it for another ten paragraphs, but I’ll spare you the fangirling and request that you watch it for yourself. The evergreen themes in Much Ado About Nothing, combined with its marvelous cast, are more than enough to merit a viewing from any twenty-first century romantic. I suggest you rent it or buy it as soon as possible and get lost in the visual and emotional depths for a while. You won’t regret it.