'Much Ado About Nothing'
Inside the delightful romp of Whedon's Shakespeare adaptation
Reviewed by Monica Riese, Fri., March 15, 2013
SXSW Film Reviews
Much Ado About Nothing
Narrative Spotlight, U.S. PremiereD: Joss Whedon; with Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion
It's difficult to talk about Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing without also mentioning that it was shot in 12 days at his house in Santa Monica while on vacation from shooting Marvel megahit The Avengers. That's amazing, but this film would be a delightful romp regardless of its humble beginnings and simple black-and-white cut. Its roots are firmly planted in the original Shakespeare, but it's accessible to novices and theatre buffs alike. Furthermore, the entire 107 minutes are imbued with the outstanding ensemble dynamic of old friends – no wonder, considering the cast list includes alumni from such fan-favorite Whedon projects as The Cabin in the Woods, Angel, and Firefly – and a fresh sense of humor that only the perfect combination of Commedia dell'Arte, a couple martinis, and a 7-year-old's stuffed animal collection can bring. Truly, this project was destined for success as surely as its star-crossed lovers were for each other.
Wednesday, March 13, 11am, Rollins
