Once you get used to the initial shock of hearing and seeing Shakespeares play being spoken, almost sacrilegiously, by Americans no less, in and around a Beverly Hills villa you can really appreciate just how radical and enjoyable Joss Whedons film of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING actually is. This may be Whedons home-movie, a lets-put-on-a-(Shakespeare)-play-but-keep-our-own-accents-and-clothes-and-to-hell-with-sets-lets-do-it-in-my-house kind of home-movie but its a gamble thats payed off handsomely. Indeed Whedon has taken one of Shakespeares least known plays and given it a new lease of life. Normally Im not too keen on the Bard being done in modern dress, (such adaptations usually smack of affectation), but this feels like a labor of love that isnt lost on its audience. Indeed, this is something of a triumph. Its unlikely that Whedons usual target audience of assembled Avenger fans will take to it but anyone prepared to give themselves over to Whedons unorthodox sense of fun will be amply rewarded. The cast also throw themselves into it as if to the manner born with Amy Ackers Beatrice and Fran Kranzs Claudio the stand-outs while Whedons decision to shoot it in black and white somehow feels inspired.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:14:05 +0000
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