Director Joss Whedon and his group of friends created one of the most enjoyable Shakespeare films I’ve seen, and they did it in his house, and with modern dress, and presented it in black and white. It is an absolute delight from beginning to end. The film stars Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Reed Diamond, Fran Kranz and Jillian Morgese.
Act I
There is an added moment at the beginning of the film, showing Benedick and Beatrice together, with Benedick sneaking out quietly after a night with her, a bit of their history together, which is hinted at in the text. We then get to the text, with the first scene taking place in the kitchen. Leonato (Clark Gregg) is amused by Beatrice (Amy Acker), which is great in establishing both of their characters and the general atmosphere. There is a playful quality to Beatrice’s speeches straight away. We also see Don John (Sean Maher) as the villain immediately. Beatrice’s line “You always end with a jade’s trick” is delivered with sincerity, a serious moment that shows us she is interested in Benedick (Alexis Denisof), but is sad about it. Claudio (Fran Kranz) has a certain innocence and seems at first to think the plan of Don Pedro (Reed Diamond) to woo Hero in his stead is to actually get her for himself. Until Don Pedro says “she shall be thine,” Claudio seems poised to object. Act I Scene ii is cut. Conrade (Riki Lindhome) is female in this telling of the story, and she and Don John have something of a relationship. At the beginning of the third scene, she and Don John lie in bed together. And when Don John calls himself a “plain-dealing villain,” it gets her excited.
Act II
Leonato, Hero (Jillian Morgese) and Beatrice are having wine at the beginning of the second act. A servant brings in a box of masks for them to choose from. After Beatrice’s “some other metal than Earth” line, we go to the party. During the party, “Sigh No More” is playing. This is a sweet scene. Not everyone is masked, though most are. Beatrice’s “We must follow the leaders” is a reference to a conga line that has formed and that she now aims to join. Because of Claudio’s initial reaction to Don Pedro’s plan, he is easily persuaded by Don John that Don Pedro woos Hero for himself. When Beatrice mentions that Benedick lent her his heart, we get brief flashbacks to their relationship. I like the hints of sadness in Beatrice, even before Leonato says “There’s little of the melancholy element in her.” As Don Pedro, Leonato, Claudio and Hero raise glasses to making a match between Beatrice and Benedick, we see that Don John has been watching from upstairs, and then we go into Act II Scene ii. This scene ends with Borachio’s line “Look you for any other issue?” Benedick gives his speech at the beginning of Scene iii while exercising and stretching, and the lines are spoken to himself, not to the camera. When Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato begin speaking of how Beatrice loves Benedick, Benedick pops up behind them, visible through the window, a funny moment. Claudio gets a bit carried away, and Don Pedro and Leonato hold his arms to help persuade him to tone it down a bit. Benedick is delightfully goofy after hearing that Beatrice loves him.
Act III
The beginning of the Act III is cut, and the first scene begins when Beatrice enters. Beatrice stumbles down the stairs when she overhears Ursula (Emma Bates) and Hero saying how Benedick loves her. Benedick’s beard is shaved before Act III Scene ii. Whenever Don John enters, the music turns dark and sinister, which is delightful. Claudio reacts with anger at first when hearing of Hero’s betrayal, pushing Don John against the wall. Act III Scene iii takes place in a police station and begins with monitors hooked to security cameras. Dogberry (Nathan Fillion) hands off a flashlight on “bear you the lantern.” When Borachio (Spencer Treat Clark) tells his tale of villainy, we see flashes of it. When Hero then holds the dress that we saw Margaret (Ashley Johnson) wear, Margaret says, “Troth, I think your other gown were better,” and selects another for her, a wonderful touch (though the original line is “rabato were better”). Act III ends with Dogberry’s “examination these men.”
Act IV
Leonato is so good in the wedding scene. Claudio pushes Hero into Leonato’s arms. Beatrice goes to rush at Claudio to defend her cousin, but Leonato stays her by grabbing her wrist. Then he himself questions Claudio, an excellent moment. And Claudio’s delivery of “most foul, most fair” is perfect. When things turn ugly at the wedding, the guests are ushered out. The exchange between Benedick and Beatrice takes place back inside the house. I love the look Beatrice gives when Benedick declares his love for her. They are both fantastic in this scene, when Beatrice bids Benedick kill Claudio. The second scene takes place at the police station. Because of Conrade’s gender in this film, her response to Dogberry, “I am a gentleman, sir,” is cut. Borachio reacts with surprise when hearing that Hero has died.
Act V
This act begins with Benedick ready to challenge Claudio, and the first line is Claudio’s “Now, signior, what news?” There is a silly bit when Dogberry and Verges (Tom Lenk) realize they’ve locked their keys in the car. There is added a funeral procession for Hero. When Benedick sings that snippet of song, a dog in the distance answers with barking. So sweet, that moment when Beatrice and Benedick catch and read the papers containing their words of love. The film ends with everyone dancing, just as performances ended during Shakespeare’s day.
Special Features
The DVD contains two commentary tracks. The first is by director Joss Whedon, who talks about how he and his friends would gather to read Shakespeare’s plays, that A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the first they read at his house. He mentions that this film was done quickly while he was working on The Avengers, and was shot at his house, giving the film a casual flavor. He also talks about how the story in this play is about perceptions, and states his reasons for presenting it in black and white, as well as his reasons for wanting to film the play, that mixture of darkness and comedy. He explains his choice in presenting Conrade the way he does, and has plenty of interesting things to say about the characters of Borachio and Claudio, and the way those two are often portrayed in productions of this play. I love what he has to say about the sadness of Margaret’s character when she knows she’s being used, which is different from most productions. The second commentary track is done by Joss Whedon along with most of the cast, including Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Clark Gregg, Reed Diamond, Fran Kranz, Jillian Morgese, Sean Maher, Spencer Treat Clark, Riki Lindhome, Ashley Johnson, Emma Bates, Tom Lenk, Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney, and Romy Rosemont. With that many people, all of whom are friends, the track is filed with laughter. There is a weird beeping sound at the 18:33 mark. What was said then?
Making Ado Out Of Nothing is a behind-the-scenes featurette that includes interviews with Joss Whedon and some of the cast members. The decision to present the film in black and white is discussed, as is the photographer character. This is approximately twenty-two minutes. Bus Ado is a short piece about the cast’s trip to the film festival in Austin. The music video for “Sigh No More” is also included.
Much Ado About Nothing was directed by Joss Whedon, and released on DVD on October 8, 2013.
Time: 109 minutes.
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