Movie Review: "Much Ado About Nothing" :)

When I watch a movie and then spend all night dreaming about it (not to mention all morning) I know it has captured me heart and soul. Kenneth Branagh's version of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing was such a movie for me. At first I panicked, thinking I would never be able to understand the Elizabethan English the characters used, (It is strictly Shakespeare's play. No modernizing, thank you. :) but by the end of the first scene it was clear the stellar actors of the cast would take care of me. They understood what they were saying and were so phenomenal in their performances they made you understand. The key to deciphering Shakespeare? Don't listen too hard.
The plot is a delightful mash of two love stories: one sweet and simple, the other fiery and sarcastic. Meet Hero and Claudio:

Played by the winsome Kate Beckinsale and Robert Sean Leonard.

And Beatrice and Benedick! :)

Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh

The latter couple were my absolute favorite--their witticisms and banter were hilarious and brilliant. 

Benedick overhearing talk of Beatrice's "love" for him

I don't want to spoil the plot for you--I'll only say it contains a good prince, a jealous brother, lots of hilarity, and a couple of nuts who will have you dying of laughter.

Dogberry & company

 The friendships will have you smiling...

the lovers will make you sigh happily....

.

.....the treason will have you wanting to strangle Mr. Good-lookin' Prince-Man...

Don John--the villain!

There is abundant wit and cleverness throughout. I loved the music and dancing and costumes and setting. This movie was amazing. :) It's a sweet, lovely, happy-ending but lots of danger movie. I went to bed smiling like a loon and dreamed all night in Shakespearean English....I was so brilliant and had sharp, sparkling, witty repartees with everyone...too bad I can't remember a stitch of it this morning. :D

There are, however, a couple things I must warn you about.

Cons:

• After the very first picnic-montage, the entire cast and crew take it into their heads to bathe before the Prince arrives....they do so...and there are back-shots of everyone in the process. We were forewarned so we fast-forwarded and were none the worse for it.
• There is a false scandal against Hero that would suggest she was unfaithful to Claudio resulting in a grand kerfuffle...apparently they show a bit more of that "scandal" than is comfortable. We were forewarned about this so we skipped it, and again didn't miss anything of the plot.
• At the masquerade you see a fellow "tickling" a lady but he goes a bit farther. Fast-forward for about five or ten seconds and you'll be just fine. [Random Elizabethan obscenities, anyone? :P]
• Shakespeare's English and ours is much different. He liberally uses words we would not use now (such as Ass, Bastard, etc.) but in the context they are not as offensive. Back then they weren't bad words and in keeping with his original works, they didn't bother me.

Pros:  

• This movie showcases Shakespeare at his best. The acting was Brilliant. That is all I can say. Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh were Beatrice and Benedick. That's all there is to it. 
• Purity is highly, highly prized. Pretty much, this is what the plot swirls around. Purity before marriage.
• The family in the movie have ultra-close relationships. I love it.
• The scenery and music were gorgeous, as well as the simple, yet lovely costumes

This movie, since I've given you fair warning and told you where to fast-foward, is now one of my favorites. I can recommend it heartily with those cautions in mind. :)  I love it to death, and I plan on watching it again very very soon! :)

In closing, here are a few (so hard to choose!) favorite quotes from Much Ado About Nothing:

Claudio, speaking of Hero: "Can the world buy such a jewel?"

Benedick: "Yea, and a case to put it into!"

Dogberry: "Thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this!"

Don Pedro: "Officers, what offense have these men done?"

Dogberry: "Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover they have spoken untruths; secondarily they are slanderers; sixth and lastly; they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying knaves.

Don Pedro: "What is your offense, masters? This learned constable is too cunning to be understood."

Bwahahaha!

"I see our hands have betrayed our hearts!"

                   

                              "Trust God, love me, and mend...." *heart breaks* :)