Fresh
A spirited, winningly acted rendition of one of the Bard's most popular comedies.
Variety Staff, Variety
Much Ado About Nothing
Romance. Mischief. Seduction. Revenge. Remarkable.
1993 · 1h 51m · PG-13
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Directed by
Kenneth Branagh
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Much Ado About Nothing
Overview
In this Shakespearean farce, Hero and her groom-to-be, Claudio, team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro, the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick and Beatrice -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John plots to ruin the wedding.
Director and cast
- Kenneth Branagh Director
- Emma Thompson as Beatrice
- Kenneth Branagh as Benedick
- Kate Beckinsale as Hero
- Denzel Washington as Don Pedro
- Michael Keaton as Dogberry
- Keanu Reeves as Don John
- Robert Sean Leonard as Claudio
- Richard Briers as Signor Leonato
- Imelda Staunton as Margaret
- Jimmy Yuill as Friar Francis
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
90%
Tomatometer
Fresh
[Branagh] has found his way to the play's profound yet populist heart, rediscovering Shakespeare's vision of romantic fulfillment - celebration with an underlying tug of sadness - for an era that believes itself all too wise to the ways of love.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Fresh
Continuously enjoyable from its action-filled opening to the dazzling final shot...
Todd McCarthy, Variety
Fresh
There's much to commend in Branagh's pruned, international version of Shakespeare's troubling comedy.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Fresh
Kenneth Branagh...has done it again.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
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