"Much Ado About Nothing" (2013)

Much Ado About Nothing is a curiosity. A swanky, chic, wine-drenched (seriously, alcohol seems to be getting consumed in nearly every scene) black & white adaptation of Shakespeare's play transposed to the present day by writer-director Joss Whedon. The film features a host of Whedon regulars from past film and television work, including Amy Ackler and Alexis Denisoff in the lead roles as quarreling, barbed witted sparring partners Beatrice and Benedick, who are tricked by their friends into falling in love with one another. Much has been noted about the circumstances under which Whedon filmed the movie; filmed entirely at his Santa Monica, Californian home, a Tuscan villa styled house, over the course of 12 days, the movie at times feels like a bunch of friends casually putting on a home-theater production of the bard's work. At other times it feels like we're getting a glimpse into a very private and well-acquainted group of friends putting together a movie for their own amusement. The juxtaposition of Shakespeare's dialogue and the present day setting is at times jarring -- although it eventually settles into a pleasing rhythm -- and setting it all in one location at times noticeably limits the options for the ways the story can be told. (Locations keep getting re-used over and over and the low budget becomes painfully obvious in certain instances). Jay Hunter's cinematography is gorgeous and intoxicating; it's dazzling and energetic at points. These performers clearly have a lot of chemistry and there is, perhaps not surprisingly being based on a Shakespearean comedy, plenty of funny moments, particularly parallel moments of dedicated slapstick from Ackler and Denisoff and the winning appearance of Nathan Fillion as bumbling police officer Dogbert. However, Much Ado feels far too indulgent. Too often there's the sense we're on the outside of some joke that only those involved in the production quite get. Still this is good, charming performers wonderfully reciting Shakespeare's impeccable writing and having a great deal of fun doing it.

Grade: 3/4 ★★★