20140518: Comedy Review--Much Ado about Nothing

Much Ado about Nothing

1. Fundamentals, reception.
1. American live action feature length film, 2012, PG-13, comedy, drama, romance.  Shot in greyscale ('black and white.')
2. IMDB: 7.6/10.0 from 9,602 audience ratings.
3. Rotten Tomatoes: 84% on the meter; 78% liked it from 24,841 audience ratings.
4. Netflix: 3.4/5.0 from 36,414 audience ratings.
5. Directed by: Joss Weedon.  Screenplay: Joss Weedon, from the play by Shakespeare.
6. Starring: Amy Acker as Beatrice, Alexis Denisof as Benedick, Nathan Fillion as Dogberry, Clark Gregg as Leonato, Fran Kranz as Count Claudio, Reed Diamond as Don Pedro, Jillian Morgese as Hero, Spencer Treat Clark as Borachio, Riki Lindhome as Conrade, Sean Maher as Don John.


2. Setup and Plot
1. The film was shot in Santa Monica (Los Angeles County, CA, US), in modern dress, with computers, pistols, automobiles, and live cell phone video.


2. Leonato, the governor of Messina, welcomes back Don Pedro and his comrades, Benedick and Claudio, from a successful campaign, and hosts them for a time.  Claudio and Leonato's daughter Hero take a liking to one another quickly.  Benedick and Leonato's niece Beatrice take a dislike to one another and argue heatedly.


3. Claudio and Hero's marriage is arranged quickly, while friends decide to deceive Benedick and Beatrice into thinking that each is in love with the other.  Don Pedro's brother Don John arranges for Borachio and Conrade to bear false witness that Hero was untrue to Claudio.  The marriage is stopped during the ceremony.  Hero is rejected as an adulteress by her prospective groom, by her father, and by Don Pedro.  Beatrice does not believe it.  The priest at the ceremony counsels cooling down and investigating.


4. Since this is a comedy, one knows that most of the issues will be resolved with a good dose of wit.


3. Conclusions
1. One line summary: Another modern take on the Shakespeare play.
2. Four stars of five


4. Scores
1. Cinematography: 8/10 Greyscale (the vast majority of pixels are neither black nor white) is not my favourite, and never will be.  Despite that, most of this film is beautifully shot; I took off 2 points for camera shake.


2. Sound: 7/10  There is a whole lot of mumbling going on.  I was hoping for crisply spoken and perfectly miked dialog.


3. Acting: 7/10 Amy Acker, Sean Maher, Clark Gregg, and Reed Diamond were delightful.  I expected a bit more from some of the other actors.


4. Screenplay: 9/10 The modern visuals with a dose of modern musical instruments coupled with the original text was an interesting mix.  Perhaps this is not for everyone, but I liked it.