i love introducing this movie to people, “ok so it’s a shakespeare play, no not that one, made into a movie and it’s got Keanu, Denzel, Michael Keaton, Kenneth Brannaugh…yes it has a couple musical numbers, it’s a comedy ✨🎭 ✨”
Yeah this movie is fun but the plot is pretty tough. Dude accuses his wife to be of being a whore, so they pretend she kills herself so he would feel bad about it and commit to marrying her cousin. Then they play a funny switcharoo and everything is forgiven… Hilarious.
Thompson and Branagh (with an assist from Keaton) really keep this thing afloat with their great sense of timing and delivery. I heard about a stage production that ends with everyone dancing (like normal) except Hero and Claudio just stand staring blankly at the audience, scarred from the whole ordeal. The level of manipulation they endured is enough to break someone.
Probably debatable but I think this is Kenneth
Branagh best Shakespeare. Such a great movie. Emma Thompson at her peak, with Denzel and Keanu and so many others putting on a show. The lovely Kate Beckinsale isn’t even in front which, on my last viewing, is my biggest critique: many men are deciding the fate of these women and they (mostly) lack agency. True of the day and true to Shakespeare but my elder statesman views are different than my young man perspective.
Isn’t the lack of agency a big part of Beatrice’s character? Like she calls out the issue of the play in the play itself. I don’t know if that makes it a commentary or accidental self critique
She may speak to it in her limited capacity but the plot is driven by fragile male honor. Her redemption is to marry the man who shamed her terribly and incorrectly. I love this play but it is not an easy modern read.
If you love the play why are you confusing Beatrice with Hero? Hero has to marry the man who shamed her terribly. Beatrice just makes out with the guy who was planning on fighting his best friend over it.
Sall good mate. Yeah hero does get the short end of the stick. I did a production of that play a few years ago and the actress playing Hero talked about how difficult finding appropriate motivation behind her absolute lack of agency and wanting Claudio back at the end was.
Henry V is probably my favourite movie of all time. But Much Ado About Nothing is very very close. I thought Hamlet his weakest. Needed much more editing. The best Hamlet is Mel Gibson‘s, in my opinion.
I hate Branagh's Hamlet. It's so self indulgent. It just oozes with Branagh's self regard. The BBC version of the RSC production with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart is so much better.
NEVER FORGET ... THAT I AM ... AN ASS.
That's in the regular conversational rotation of our 35++ year relationship.
Though it not be written down, forget not that I … am … an ass.
thanks for the clarification, it's been a tick since we watched this, so local vernacular takes over.
NGL I thought he said my line after he said your line
Though it not be written.... I only know the line because I tell it to my lovely spouse who puts up with my bullshit.
Ditto.
Oh man, i completely forgot he was in much ado about nothing
i love introducing this movie to people, “ok so it’s a shakespeare play, no not that one, made into a movie and it’s got Keanu, Denzel, Michael Keaton, Kenneth Brannaugh…yes it has a couple musical numbers, it’s a comedy ✨🎭 ✨”
A comedy in which the plot gets incredibly dire towards the end, but it's all okay (?) by the time the credits roll
Yeah this movie is fun but the plot is pretty tough. Dude accuses his wife to be of being a whore, so they pretend she kills herself so he would feel bad about it and commit to marrying her cousin. Then they play a funny switcharoo and everything is forgiven… Hilarious.
Thompson and Branagh (with an assist from Keaton) really keep this thing afloat with their great sense of timing and delivery. I heard about a stage production that ends with everyone dancing (like normal) except Hero and Claudio just stand staring blankly at the audience, scarred from the whole ordeal. The level of manipulation they endured is enough to break someone.
And Emma Thompson, Kate Beckinsale, and like 10 character actors you know.
I’m watching it again for the first time in about 35 years. And Ben Elton is his sidekick! I’d completely forgotten.
For posting this and then searching Reddit for "dogberry", respect!
Thanks! Someone else in that old thread said something similar to you, and today is their cake day!
Probably debatable but I think this is Kenneth Branagh best Shakespeare. Such a great movie. Emma Thompson at her peak, with Denzel and Keanu and so many others putting on a show. The lovely Kate Beckinsale isn’t even in front which, on my last viewing, is my biggest critique: many men are deciding the fate of these women and they (mostly) lack agency. True of the day and true to Shakespeare but my elder statesman views are different than my young man perspective.
Isn’t the lack of agency a big part of Beatrice’s character? Like she calls out the issue of the play in the play itself. I don’t know if that makes it a commentary or accidental self critique
"Oh, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace!"
Yes, she directly comments on the unfairness.
That was specifically the line I was thinking of. Such a cold ass line.
She may speak to it in her limited capacity but the plot is driven by fragile male honor. Her redemption is to marry the man who shamed her terribly and incorrectly. I love this play but it is not an easy modern read.
If you love the play why are you confusing Beatrice with Hero? Hero has to marry the man who shamed her terribly. Beatrice just makes out with the guy who was planning on fighting his best friend over it.
Sorry I should have use names instead of “her”. I was referring to Hero.
Sall good mate. Yeah hero does get the short end of the stick. I did a production of that play a few years ago and the actress playing Hero talked about how difficult finding appropriate motivation behind her absolute lack of agency and wanting Claudio back at the end was.
While I love this movie, I think if I had to choose, I would choose Kenneth Branagh's Henry V.
Look out, here comes your father!
There's a TV edit of Henry V that was shown on PBS with a few short cut scenes that's even better, but it doesn't seem to be available anywhere.
Henry V is probably my favourite movie of all time. But Much Ado About Nothing is very very close. I thought Hamlet his weakest. Needed much more editing. The best Hamlet is Mel Gibson‘s, in my opinion.
Agree, love Henry V!
I can not decide between Hamlet and this, but this has slight edge because it's a comedy.
I hate Branagh's Hamlet. It's so self indulgent. It just oozes with Branagh's self regard. The BBC version of the RSC production with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart is so much better.
Oh, I would agree. I was just considering Branagh's work. I didn't mind his stance, as imagined Hamlet like that.
Just to qualify, I really like his Much Ado and Henry V.
I love his greasy-ass hairdo
SOOOOOUL GLOOOOW BABY
Very Ferengi-coded.
What movie?
Much Ado About Nothing.
Looks like Lars Ulrich
https://i.redd.it/fcvkyc65jq3g1.gif
BEER, GOOD.
FIRE, BAD! FIRE, BAD!
Haven't seen in years.
https://youtu.be/fS6udST6lbE
I was there, Gandalf. I was there when the strength of men failed, and they stopped being creative for fun.
This Metallica cock ring is the only thing that has given me the strength to make it through these years, but I am weak. I can feel it.
In his prime
🤣
Made this for a sarcastic reply at work, and thought I'd drop it here for posterity. Started with this.
Man, I hope it achieved the results you were looking for.
Thanks for teaching me the word obsequious. Weird how there are always new words that I haven't learned yet.
I was going to say sycophantic, but obsequious seemed to fit better.
Michael Keaton was the original Demon Dragon.
Is that Ben Elton behind him?
Yep! Playing Verges, Dogberrys henchman.
Give me James Earl Jones' disappointed turn
With bonus Ben Elton!
This is bad
Don't post this
Why?
I don't need a reason
Then your comment has no weight.
really? wow
that's crazy
ok then