Much Ado About Nothing Details

1993

Rated:
70
from 6737 members

Starring	Kenneth Branagh, Richard Briers, Michael Keaton, Robert Sean Leonard
Director	Kenneth Branagh
Genres	Drama, Romance

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Much Ado About Nothing

When gallant Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), his nefarious brother Don John (Keanu Reeves), and close confidantes Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) and Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) ride thunderously into the Sicilian village of Messina, romance, gaiety, and suspicion abound. The men have returned safely from a war, and soon everyone in the sun-drenched villa is abuzz with thoughts of love. Claudio, enamored of the purity of the nubile Hero (Kate Beckinsale), entreats Don Pedro to woo the maiden on his behalf that evening at a masked ball. Once he's managed the successful betrothal of Hero to Claudio, Don Pedro has another plot in mind: he plans to trick Hero's bantering cousin Beatrice (Emma Thompson) and sworn bachelor Benedick into acknowledging they've fallen in love. Meanwhile, the villainous Don John, driven by contempt for his compatriots, has hatched a plot of his own: to fool Claudio and Don Pedro into believing Hero is unchaste. The plot works perfectly: sensitive but volatile Claudio denounces her publicly on their wedding day. All seems lost, and soon the attempts to set things right include a formal duel, a scheming friar, a mock memorial and a gaggle of bumbling constables. With its excellent cast and beautiful Tuscan backdrop, director Kenneth Branagh's film is a light-hearted adaptation of yet another of Shakespeare's great plays.

Starring	Kenneth Branagh, Richard Briers, Michael Keaton, Robert Sean Leonard, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Ben Elton
Director	Kenneth Branagh
Studio	ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO
Run time	DVD: 1 hr 46 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama, Romance
Language	DVD: English
Released	DVD: 21 May 1999 Production year: 1993
Format	DVD

Critics' reviews (6) of Much Ado About Nothing
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A real luvvies outing, as the then married Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson decamp to Tuscany with pals to film an exciting, joyful and rollicking version of William Shakespeare's tale of frenetic wooing. Branagh, who stars and directs, gives the story an enormous joie de vivre and is aided by a star-studded supporting cast that includes Thompson's mother Phyllida Law, Imelda Staunton, Ben Elton, Keanu Reeves and Denzel Washington.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
A lively version of Shakespeare's witty romantic comedy, but suffering from some miscasting, plodding direction and rather too much forced jollity to be entirely successful.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful member's review of Much Ado About Nothing
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

I never realised Shakespeare could be so much fun!

This film is fantastic! It's got an absoutely wonderful cast, the scenery is beautiful and the story's got everything. Even if you think Shakespeare isn't your cup of tea, please give this a try. I actually went to see it at the cinema without having a clue what it was about - I'm ashamed to admit I didn't even realise it was Shakespeare - I'd just seen an article in a magazine about Robert Sean Leonard and thought he looked cute - but within minutes I'd grasped the language and was completely entralled. Fifteen years later and it's still one of my favourites. I've yet to meet anyone who dislikes this film - even my partner thoroughly enjoyed it and he would usually steer well clear of anything that could be described as a period drama.
- - A customer from Guildford
  - Posted 18 Mar 2005 12:53
Most recent members' review of Much Ado About Nothing
View all
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

I never realised Shakespeare could be so much fun!

This film is fantastic! It's got an absoutely wonderful cast, the scenery is beautiful and the story's got everything. Even if you think Shakespeare isn't your cup of tea, please give this a try. I actually went to see it at the cinema without having a clue what it was about - I'm ashamed to admit I didn't even realise it was Shakespeare - I'd just seen an article in a magazine about Robert Sean Leonard and thought he looked cute - but within minutes I'd grasped the language and was completely entralled. Fifteen years later and it's still one of my favourites. I've yet to meet anyone who dislikes this film - even my partner thoroughly enjoyed it and he would usually steer well clear of anything that could be described as a period drama.
- - A customer from Guildford
  - Posted 18 Mar 2005 12:53
News and features
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Emma Thompson: Top of the Class
- 03 Jun 2009
Thank heavens for Emma Thompson! The House of Lords may fall. Our MPs may act like lemmings, and poor old Susan Boyle is surely the British cultural icon we deserve… but as this week’s cinema release Last Chance Harvey proves, Emma Thompson prevails, a comforting reminder of Empire and order, a Britain where quality, common sense and self-deprecating wit trump tabloid fame and sleaze. She would demur, I’m sure, but Thompson is your mum’s idea of what a British film star Read more
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