Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

 

     Now, I have never actually read Shakespeare before...all I really know about his stories are from movie adaptions. Maybe that's cheating, I don't know, but from what I have viewed is that Shakespeare was certainly a man very much ahead of his time. He was devoted to his country and his passion of writing. He wrote about England's history, the everyday man and woman, life in the city and the country. Shakespeare knew how to tell the stories of families, both functional and dysfunctional. His stories took place in Italy, Greece, England, Denmark and Scotland (just to name a few). He wrote of heroic men and of heartless villains. He had an extremely modern day view of woman in his plays and frequently they are portrayed as clever, strong, resourceful, generous and sacrificial. More often than not, it's women who save the day and not just men.

      And of all that Shakespeare knew how to write, he most certainly knew how to write about love. Young love, old love, platonic love, forbidden love, tragic love, comedic love, sacrificial love and love that can even be created through mischief and good intent.  

     At least, that's what the people of Messina thought.

      In 1993, well known stage and screen actor, Kenneth Branagh took one of the most enjoyable Shakespearean comedies Much Ado About Nothing and turned it one of the most popular and beloved screen adaptions. After 20 years, Branagh's production is still effortlessly breathtaking, heartbreaking, witty and wonderful. I saw this movie when I was about 7 or 8 and even at that young age, I could understand the basic storyline fairly well; even though I could hardly translate what the actors were saying.

     

Top: Benedick and Beatrice
Bottom: Claudio and Hero

     In the blazing summer of Messina, Italy, wealthy nobleman, Leonarto welcomes his old friend Don (Prince) Pedro and his men, who have returned victoriously from war, to his home. Also there is Leonarto's lively and opinionated niece, Beatrice who is best friend's with Leonarto's only child, Hero. As the sole heir to her father's vast fortune, Hero is a worthy prize for any man to fight for. However, she has eyes for one person. Handsome Count Claudio who is so overwhelmed by Hero, he hardly knows how to go about asking her to marry him. While all of Messina waits with anticipation for the possibility of this young couple, not everyone is thrilled.

     Mainly, Count Benedick of Padua. Every group has their class clown and in Don Pedro's regiment, it's Benedick. Scoffing at the idea of love and surrendering bachelorhood for marriage and family, Benedick has no desire and time for any such life. The only thing that may drive him crazier than the idea of 'falling love,' is Beatrice. 

     For as long as they've known each other, Beatrice and Benedick's only form of communication is through insults and arguments. 'The Merry War,' as Leonarto graciously puts it. Beatrice herself, while a loyal supporter of Hero and Claudio's relationship, could never see herself as a simple wife and enjoys her freedom. To the point where she turned down the Princes' offer of marriage. 

Top: Don Pedro
Bottom: Don Jon

     The only other person not in favor of Claudio and Hero is Don Pedro's smarmy, half brother Don Jon; an illegitimate child who grew up in the shadow of his heroic older brother. Jon is only there at the mercy of Pedro, but he shows only ingratitude and a spoiled petulance toward his brother and his obvious close friendship to Count Claudio. To spite his brother and Claudio, Jon is determined to tear Claudio and Hero apart no matter what it takes.

     While Don Jon plots destruction, some other plotting is taken place. Don Pedro has created a Herculean labor of bringing his friend, Count Benedick and Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection for each other. Or he's going to play matchmaker, truly believing that there is more to their feelings than just disdain. And it works! Much to everyone's surprise, but most especially Benedick and Beatrice's. 

     However, Jon begins to wield a plan of deceit and sorrow that could be the end of innocent love and strong bonds of friendship. It takes an unlikely group of loyal servants to stop him and finally bring about the truth to his lies and deception.

     No matter how many times I watch this movie, I fall in love all over again! You just get caught up in the naturalness of everything. Filmed entirely in Italy, 95% of the story takes place outside in the beautiful Tuscany landscape. The natural lighting, the lush gardens, the obvious fact that the actors really are sweating and getting sunburnt just adds to the whole romantic experience of a historical, European love story. 

    Whether this was his intent or not, Kenneth Branagh manged to make this story in an accessible way that was easy for the audience to grasp the plot and the characters. Like I said, I watched this movie as a little girl and could easily understand what was going on. As I got older and I understood the dialogue better, I could appreciate Shakespeare's utter genius with words. Some of my favorite scenes are with Benedick and his rambling against falling in love one moment, to being completely drowned in it the next. 

     Much Ado About Nothing is the utter romantic and comedic adventure that puts all romantic comedies before and after it in the shadows!