Much Ado About Nothing (2012) REVISIT

Filmed in only 12 days at the director's own residence, Joss Whedon's film adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing has a very grassroots feel to it. He literally just pulled together a group of his friends to hand out at his house and film the play. While this produces some mixed results, over all the experience is just so damn fun (especially due to the play chosen) that it remains a truly enjoyable film.

What works? The choice to film in black and white, and costume the cast in classic cut suits and dresses gives it an air of timelessness which allows for the language of the text to play out. Whedon's cut of the script is tight and modern, fast paced and funny.

But for me the thing that most works about this film is its star Amy Acker. Her Beatrice is a vision. She is all the complexities a Beatrice needs to be. Standing in the shadow of the great Emma Thompson isn't an easy thing, so taking on this role for a new film must have been daunting. But Acker proves up to the task, making it her own.

Fillion's Dogberry is a treat too. He doesn't play the role too over the top, which is clearly tempting in so many productions I have seen. Instead he is subtly incompetent and imbecilic, an approach which works so very well.

And finally the music is outstanding. The film's new versions of Sigh No More and Heavenly are gorgeous, with their slightly jazzy influence, fitting just right into this mix. The score itself is lush and lovely helping us all feel blithe and bonny. 

What doesn't work? Alexis Denisof as Benedick is truly terrible, butchering almost every scene he's in. I don't like to crap so hard on anyone but his Benedick is a mess, never once inspiring the sort of love from a woman like Beatrice necessary for the play to work. There are some other weak spots in the cast but Denisof stands out the most, pulling you out of the story. It's the power imbalance between the two leads which is ever so frustrating. I've always seen Much Ado as being about a few things, one predominantly contrasting a very mature love structured on partnership and equality against a fresh, young, idealistic love which is so easily shaken and pulled apart. I'm not sure this film accomplishes that.

I'm also not sure this film gets into the heart of how the play explores the power dynamics between men and women as effectively as some other films and adaptations. In some ways it treats Hero's shaming and the following comeuppance of her accusers more as plot points than as essential to the entirety of the story.

Still, Much Ado About Nothing is just so damn watchable, so engaging, even a fumbled version can be a true joy. And Whedon's take on it, despite what many may feel about him, remains so damn watchable, especially for Acker and just for it's outright beauty.

Much Ado About Nothing
Starring: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Reed Diamond, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Fran Kranz, Sean Maher, Jillian Morgese, Spencer Treat Clark, Riki Lindhome, Ashley Johnson
Director: Joss Whedon
Writers: William Shakespeare, Joss Whedon