Review of Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing, originally a play by William Shakespeare was adapted as a film and released on 7th May 1993. The director and writer of this comedy-romance-war film was Kenneth Branagh and the film embraced a cast of renowned actors such as Keanu Reaves and Denzel Washington. The movie was supported by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and was filmed at Villa Vignamaggio, Greve in Chianti, Florence, Tuscany and Italy. It was also certified in sixteen countries, some of which included Peru, Spain and South Korea.
The action of the film revolves around spying and eavesdropping and the theme of deception is ever present as games and tricks are played on people. This is also evident as Don John plays on Claudio’s emotions by falsely convincing him of Hero’s infidelity. However, the malapropping constable, Dogberry, ends up being the hero of the moment when he accidentally solves the mystery that the accusation towards Hero is false. The play ends with the two joyous marriages between Claudio and Hero and Benedick and Beatrice.
Regardless of its greater propensity to the comedy genre, the movie possesses a circle of romantic dissertations and romantic encounters, some of which contained rather coarse images and strong sexual content. The romantic dynamic in the movie is mainly centered on two couples their journey from courtship to marriage. There is the pair of young lovers Hero and Claudio who experience love at first sight and in contrast there is the older and more cynical couple, Beatrice and Benedick who only realize their feelings for each other through the conspicuous and crafty actions of their friends.
The opening scene in the play was aloof with faint hints of triumph at the messenger’s news. The movie however, opened with an unjustifiable jubilation and solidarity, highlighted by the idyllic and romantic atmosphere. Another scene which stimulated my interest was one in which the courting rituals began. The deliverance of this scene...