Joss Whedon and his wife often host impromptu Shakespeare readings at their place, inviting over friends to read parts for fun and leisure. So it was with some surprise when some of these usual actors and friends showed up to Whedon's place and found cameras, costumes, and more waiting for them. Surprise! You're going to be in a movie!
This is the makings of Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing, a modern adaptation of the Shakespeare play with the same name.
Whedon shot this right after The Avengers wrapped up when he was required to take a break before editing. To do so, his wife suggested that he do this instead of taking a vacation for their 20th anniversary because she knew this had long been a desire of his. You can always tell when a director is invested in his work, and Whedon shows an incredibly uncanny intimacy with the text, the setting (the movie was shot in his Pasadena home), and the actors (almost all of whom he's friends with and he's worked with before). As a result, Much Ado About Nothing is charming at every turn and a joy to watch.
This is the makings of Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing, a modern adaptation of the Shakespeare play with the same name.
Whedon shot this right after The Avengers wrapped up when he was required to take a break before editing. To do so, his wife suggested that he do this instead of taking a vacation for their 20th anniversary because she knew this had long been a desire of his. You can always tell when a director is invested in his work, and Whedon shows an incredibly uncanny intimacy with the text, the setting (the movie was shot in his Pasadena home), and the actors (almost all of whom he's friends with and he's worked with before). As a result, Much Ado About Nothing is charming at every turn and a joy to watch.
The movie is shot in black-and-white which when paired with some sharp angles and sly framed shots give the movie a noir feel at times. I love how space and levels are used between the actors. It's wonderful to see how Whedon adapts the play to camera, and how freely he adjusts the settings. As always, he's got a good feel for humor and how to manipulate that not only with what the audience hears but what they see.
The Shakespearean words spark and flow and this movie is a faithful adaptation to the original bard's words besides the clever translation into the modern age. This is actually my only criticism of the movie as a whole, in that some of Shakespeare's ideas and themes don't necessarily translate very well. Hero (played by Jillian Morgese) hardly says a word throughout the whole movie, so Morgese is relegated to standing around, looking very pretty and demure. Beatrice, played by the ever-lovely Amy Acker, gives an impassioned speech about how she wishes she were a man so she had the power to avenge her cousin.
Despite that, it's easy to see why Whedon chose this play (other than the fact that he loves it). Much Ado is progressive for its time, giving Beatrice a voice and wit, with the strength to match it.
The Shakespearean words spark and flow and this movie is a faithful adaptation to the original bard's words besides the clever translation into the modern age. This is actually my only criticism of the movie as a whole, in that some of Shakespeare's ideas and themes don't necessarily translate very well. Hero (played by Jillian Morgese) hardly says a word throughout the whole movie, so Morgese is relegated to standing around, looking very pretty and demure. Beatrice, played by the ever-lovely Amy Acker, gives an impassioned speech about how she wishes she were a man so she had the power to avenge her cousin.
Despite that, it's easy to see why Whedon chose this play (other than the fact that he loves it). Much Ado is progressive for its time, giving Beatrice a voice and wit, with the strength to match it.
It's well worth the watch. If you're a fan of Whedon, it's a must. The movie is like a who's who in the Whedon-verse, with familiar faces popping up constantly. Anthony Head was allegedly first pick to play Leonato, but had scheduling conflicts. As much as I love his replacement Clark Gregg, I would have loved to have seen that.
You should note also that Joss Whedon did the soundtrack to this music -- although he admitted later it was mostly due to budget constraints (meaning he had none to work with, really). Whedon's no stranger to composition, although this is his first time helming the entire production and he said he was rather terrified. Despite that, he doesn't do badly and the few vocal songs which are Shakespeare's words put to music are effervescent and pleasant.
There's not so much drama in this -- it's one of Shakespeare's lighter fares, with rather underdeveloped characters all-around and a villain that appears to be evil for evil's sake. But it's a delightful summer romp, and one of the best Shakespeare adaptations I've seen.
You should note also that Joss Whedon did the soundtrack to this music -- although he admitted later it was mostly due to budget constraints (meaning he had none to work with, really). Whedon's no stranger to composition, although this is his first time helming the entire production and he said he was rather terrified. Despite that, he doesn't do badly and the few vocal songs which are Shakespeare's words put to music are effervescent and pleasant.
There's not so much drama in this -- it's one of Shakespeare's lighter fares, with rather underdeveloped characters all-around and a villain that appears to be evil for evil's sake. But it's a delightful summer romp, and one of the best Shakespeare adaptations I've seen.