Much Ado About Nothing *** (1993, Kenneth Branagh, Richard Briers, Michael Keaton, Robert Sean Leonard, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Kate Beckinsale) – Classic Movie Review 10,317

Writer-director Kenneth Branagh again brings William Shakespeare to mainstream audiences with his 1993 hit adaptation of hit Much Ado About Nothing. It is a very jovial romp through Shakespeare’s attractive lightweight romance, filmed with much enthusiasm and considerable skill in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside.

In a tour de force, Branagh scripts, produces, directs and stars as the bachelor boy Benedick who battles with the strong-willed Beatrice (Emma Thompson).

Branagh and his then-wife Thompson give extremely capable, charming performances. However, it is Richard Briers who gives easily the film’s best performance as the governor Leonato, whose daughter Hero (Kate Beckinsale) is wooed by Benedick’s buddy Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard).

The film moves along at a good pace, though Roger Lanser’s cinematography occasionally looks less than formally beautiful, with camera and actors apparently having difficulty with the Italian sunshine.

Leonard is handsome and dashing but, apart from him, the visiting Americans seem uneasy: Denzel Washington looks noble in a serious part as Don Pedro, Keanu Reeves is not a natural Shakespearean actor and lost as Don John, and Michael Keaton seems uncomfortable in the comic relief as Dogberry.

Branagh previously directed Henry V (1989), in which he also co-starred with Emma Thompson. They were married from 20 August 1989 to 1 October 1995. It is the last film they made together, following Fortunes of War (1987) and Henry V (1989).

Their roles were played in a previous film by another married couple, Robert Stephens and Maggie Smith, in Much Ado About Nothing (1967). This black and white BBC TV film of the National Theatre of Great Britain Production was thought to be lost, but a recording was found in 2010 in a Washington DC library, and it has now been digitally restored.

Also in the cast are Brian Blessed, Ben Elton, Phyllida Law, Imelda Staunton, Jimmy Yuill, Richard Clifford, Gerard Horan, Andy Hockley, Chris Barnes, Conrad Nelson, Alex Lowe, Alex Scott and Edward Jewesbury.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,317

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Kenneth Branagh was born on December 10, 1960, in Belfast.