Much Ado About Nothing
Starring: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Clark Gregg, Reed Diamond, Fran Kranz
Director: Joss Whedon
Rating: 3.5/5
We haven't see Joss Whedon in the director's chair for year - ever he had that modest success with a small film called Avengers Assemble - but now he is back.
And he couldn't have returned with a more different project as he has brought a new adaptation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing to the big screen.
Leonato (Gregg), the governor of Messina, is visited by his friend Don Pedro (Diamond), who is returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother Don John (Maher). Accompanying Don Pedro are two of his officers: Benedick (Denisof) and Claudio (Kranz).
While in Messina, Claudio falls for Leonato's daughter Hero (Morgese), and Benedick verbally spars with Beatrice (Acker), the governor's niece. The budding love between Claudio and Hero prompts Don Pedro to arrange, with Leonato, their marriage.
In the days leading up to the ceremony, Don Pedro, with the help of Leonato, Claudio and Hero, attempts to sport with Benedick and Beatrice in an effort to trick the two into falling in love.
Meanwhile, the villainous Don John, with the help of his allies Conrade (Lindhome) and Borachio (Clark), plots against the happy couple, using his own form of trickery to try to destroy the marriage before it begins.
First and foremost the movie looks absolutely stunning in black and white. We really don't see enough black and white movies made and they really are visually striking.
Joss Whedon and the cast must be applauded for this movie as they have delivered something that is quality from start to finish - and they did that in just twelve shooting days.
Much Ado About Nothing is a charming and emotionally engaging movie that puts a dark and sexy twist on a well known Shakespeare play.
Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof are terrific in the central role of Beatrice and Benedick as they spar so wonderfully together.
There scenes are some of the most emotionally charged in the whole film as they keep you guessing as to which path their relationship is going to take.
Beatrice is one of Shakespeare's greatest female characters and you can see that Acker has a real love and respect for this character in the way that she depicts her - it really is a wonderful performance.
What is so great about this film is there is a very real feel to these characters and the problems that they face; they really could be living just around the corner.
Whedon may be best known for his blockbuster films and his vampire television series but it seems that he and Shakespeare really are a match made in heaven.
Much Ado About Nothing is out now.
Tagged in Joss Whedon