Much Ado About Nothing (1984)

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Siskoid
When it comes to Much Ado About Nothing, my favorite of Shakespeare's comedies, I'm able to revisit it several ways (in addition to, you know, READING it). I love the Branagh film, of course, and Joss Whedon's recent modernization, as well as the Globe Theatre performance and the Shakespeare Re-Told episode. The one I had in my collection, but not watched yet was the BBC's from 1984. Wow, a disappointment. It seems to me the characters in this version of the play are almost perpetually angry, giving the comedy a toxic, cynical feel that robs it of its charms. It's like the actors are desperate not to make it either funny or emotional. There are some bright spots - Vernon Dobtcheff is a quiet, suave Don Jon; the uncut friar makes the story much clearer; and Robert Lindsay's Benedick can be quite good, especially towards the end - but Dogberry is too straight to be effective, the Prince is effete, Hero is shrill and unlovable, and Beatrice - on whom the play's success hangs - is too glib and flippant by far. Cherie Lunghi (Guinevere in Excalibur) is a real beauty, but needs to show more vulnerability if we're to believe she's fallen for Benedick. A third dimension is missing. And overall, I think the production needed to have more fun with it. Not one I'll revisit as often as my other options, sorry. 8 years 10 months ago