Arts & Entertainment

Whedon's 'Much Ado About Nothing' is Dark, Funny

Film playing in Shirlington — and worth the trip.

Written by Leslie Combemale

Fans of Joss Whedon likely let out a collective huzzah at the release of "Much Ado About Nothing" this weekend in the greater Washington area. Never one to rest on his box office laurels, Whedon has created a black-and-white guerrilla film featuring iambic pentameter.

Whether you're a fan of Shakespeare, romance or sparkling indies, this tomfoolery of his turns out to be good for us all. For those of you who aren't Shakespeare-savvy, the story centers on two couples: Beatrice and Benedict, played by Whedon alums Amy Acker and Alex Denisof, and Hero and Claudio, who are the object of an evil breakup plot that goes even more horribly wrong than expected. 
[See showtimes for "Much Ado About Nothing" at AMC Loews Shirlington 7 and other nearby theaters.]

Fran Kranz ("Dollhouse," "Cabin in the Woods") and newcomer Jillian Morgese play the potentially star-crossed ingenues. Almost everyone involved in this project except Morgese and the formidable Reed Diamond as Don Pedro have been associated with Whedon on or off screen for quite a while. 
 
"Firefly" cult hero Nathan Fillion must be included. Cue the collective geek out! It would be less impressive if the lovable buffoon Dogberry he plays wasn't such a scene stealer. He's a moronic constable just trying to get his man.

The screen, however, belongs to Acker and Denisof. Acker is luminous and tack-sharp, a poignant balance of bile and yearning. Denisof has his own blend of chosen cluelessness and contemptuous flippancy. They both portray a hidden — though too thinly veiled — heartbreak. 

This "Much Ado" interpretation is couched in a gin and chardonnay-soaked weekend at a business mogul's compound (filmed at Whedon's own house in only 12 days).  

It is the darkest version ever played onscreen, making it arguably the most faithful interpretation, as the story borders on tragedy several times. Whedon sees this and builds his version accordingly — as Shakespeare intended. On the surface, it is all wit and sass, but "Much Ado" is a story with a poignancy centered on loss and shifting loyalties that makes it far deeper than it seems, and the actors show the appropriately layered nuances.  

Spoken as written, the barbs fling, and yes, they are as funny now as in the 1590s. And now as then, especially between Beatrice and Benedict, there is pain in most every ping.

If you've seen this work of Shakespeare before, you know that all is well that ends well, but those who don't know the outcome will have to see it. Despite the limited theatrical distribution, it is worth the trip. "Much Ado" is the thinking man or woman's movie choice for celebrating the summer solstice.

About the author: Leslie Combemale, also known as Cinema Siren, is a movie lover and aficionado in Northern Virginia. Alongside Michael Barry, she owns ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery in Reston Town Center. She has a background in film and art history. She often is invited to present at conventions like San Diego Comic Con. In 2013, she will moderate "Legendary Animators of Classic 60s Cartoons" at SDCC.  She previously moderated "The Art of the Hollywood Movie Poster" and is a perennial panelist on the Harry Potter Fandom panel. Visit her art gallery online at www.artinsights.com, and see more of her reviews and interviews on www.artinsightsmagazine.com.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here