Okay, so I need to have my fan girl moment here. I’m a huge Buffy, Angel, & Dollhouse nerd. So when I heard that Joss Whedon was coming to Toronto for the premiere of his new movie, Much Ado About Nothing, I was so there. (and so was the rest of Toronto. HUGE line!)
Much Ado About Nothing is a modern take on the play by Shakespeare. I’ve actually never seen the play, and know nothing about it, so I was a bit worried about seeing this. Joss had also said that he was using the original dialogue, but removing some text to make it more modern. He also filmed it in his backyard/estate in 12 days, because he’s just cool like that.
Claudio (Fran Kranz) and Benedick (Alexis Denisof ) have just returned home to Messina after a successful campaign abroad. When earnest Claudio announces his adoration for the lovely Hero (Jillian Morgese), daughter of Messina’s governor Leonato (Clark Gregg), the acid-tongued Benedick teases him mercilessly. Benedick’s scorn for love is matched by that of his long-time nemesis and verbal sparring partner Beatrice (Amy Acker), Leonato’s niece. As the lovestruck Claudio and Hero make plans to marry, Benedick and Beatrice resume the “merry war” of insults they have long waged. Yet there are many who believe that for all their antagonism — or even because of it — this pair of incessantly sniping cynics is surely meant to be a couple. As matchmaking schemes are put into play and disguises are donned, loathing and love soon prove to be close cousins.
This movie was amazing, and really, I shouldn’t have expected anything less of Joss! It was beautiful in black and white, I didn’t miss the colour at all. Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship was fascinating and hilarious. The film was very emotional, often leaping from sadness to hilarity. My favourite character was poor Claudio, and of course Beatrice and Benedick. The dialogue seemed natural after time, and the use of cars, cell phones and a modern lifestyle juxtaposed against the language was interesting. Jed Whedon did the soundtrack, and it was perfect and haunting at some points. The ending is lovely and satisfying. I hope this film gets picked up, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t…it’s Joss!
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