DramaComedyRomance

Much Ado About Nothing

- Romance. Mischief. Seduction. Revenge. Remarkable.

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero and her groom-to-be, Claudio, team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro, the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick and Beatrice -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John plots to ruin the wedding.

Release Date : 1993-05-07

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Renaissance FilmsBBC FilmAmerican PlayhouseThe Samuel Goldwyn Company

Production Country : United KingdomUnited States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Beatrice

Original Name : Emma Thompson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Benedick

Original Name : Kenneth Branagh

Gender : Male

Character Name : Hero

Original Name : Kate Beckinsale

Gender : Female

Character Name : Don Pedro of Aragon

Original Name : Denzel Washington

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dogberry

Original Name : Michael Keaton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Don John

Original Name : Keanu Reeves

Gender : Male

Character Name : Claudio

Original Name : Robert Sean Leonard

Gender : Male

Character Name : Signor Leonato

Original Name : Richard Briers

Gender : Male

Character Name : Margaret

Original Name : Imelda Staunton

Gender : Female

Character Name : Friar Francis

Original Name : Jimmy Yuill

Gender : Male

Character Name : Antonio

Original Name : Brian Blessed

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ursula

Original Name : Phyllida Law

Gender : Female

Character Name : Balthazar

Original Name : Patrick Doyle

Gender : Male

Character Name : Verges

Original Name : Ben Elton

Gender : Male

Character Name : George Seacole

Original Name : Andy Hockley

Gender : Male

Character Name : Francis Seacole

Original Name : Chris Barnes

Gender : Male

Character Name : Hugh Oatcake

Original Name : Conrad Nelson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Messenger

Original Name : Alex Lowe

Gender : Male

Character Name : Conrade

Original Name : Richard Clifford

Gender : Male

Character Name : Borachio

Original Name : Gerard Horan

Gender : Male

Character Name : The Boy

Original Name : Alex Scott

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sexton

Original Name : Edward Jewesbury

Gender : Male

Reviews

DocTerminus

@DocTerminus

2022-02-17

For Kenneth Branagh's 4th film he chose to return to The Bard that brought him here. He chose Shakespeare's farcical comedy **MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING**. I knew one thing going in... Shakespeare's comedies are rarely that funny. I knew something better coming out.. I could not have been more wrong. This film is not only funny and sexy, it is a treasure. This is the first Branagh film that he utilizes stunt casting - bringing in Hollywood talent into roles normally filled by Shakespearian actors. And while it isn't always perfect, there is no complaint. In fact Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves and Denzel Washington shine some bright light toward the American talent pool. Of course, many of Kenneth's _'Shakespeare'_ friends are still along for the ride - Brian Blessed is amongst my favorites. Branagh's first major achievement with this film is on his screenplay treatment. Like his **HENRY V**, he has cut the screenplay down to a much more manageable Hollywood film length. It is taut and efficient. Nothing is missing for the casual Shakespeare fan. Of course the obsessed will find - or _won't_ find a lot of stuff. Branagh's second major achievement is shared by others in the cast, especially Emma Thompson. Their handle of the language and poetry of Shakespeare shifts what is often muddy and confusing dialogue to crystal clear and modern understanding. In fact you will find yourself smiling through most of their scenes together as they torture each other until their love takes over. In high school readings of any Shakespeare plays, students often get confused as to the social aspect of the stories... They would question why there is a party and why is everyone in the town celebrating it? Why do battles seem to be fought and won amongst only 10 soldiers? Why does it seem that marriages are performed on the same day that the couple first met? So many questions confuse students and the adults who grow from them. Branagh's most masterful achievement here is in answering these questions. During his **HENRY V**, Branagh used an incredibly impressive tracking shot through the death and destruction on the field of Agincourt. Just as impressive is the finale of **MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING**, including the audience in the celebration moving through the community and finally, up into the sky with a grand view of the love and excitement of all that are alive to experience it. It is obvious that Kenneth Branagh is a major fan of Shakespeare. I would venture to say that he is more than a fan, he is an artistic peer.