Much Ado About Nothing

Last night I watched the very well reviewed modern version of Shakespeare's playMuch Ado About Nothing. The story takes place in a beautiful, modern house and grounds. This movie is  a retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words. It stars Reed Diamond, Fran Kranz, Sean Maher, Alexis Denisof, and Amy Acker.

The opening scene shows Don Pedro and Claudio (Diamond and Kranz) returning from abroad, complete with security detail and a motorcade of gleaming cars. They bring with them Benedick (Denisof), Don John (Maher), and Don John's cunning sidekick Conrade. They stop off at the beautiful home of Leonato (Clark Gregg), to celebrate with relatives and friends, all of whom have nothing else to do besides hang out in the house, drink wine, gossip, and make mischief with one another's love lives. Claudio confesses to Don Pedro that he has fallen in instant-love with Leonato's beautiful young daughter Hero (Jillian Morgese). Don Pedro immediately begins scheming on a way to bring the romance to fruition. A masked ball thrown that night gives him the opportunity he is looking for.

The story continues following this classic play; thus, you may know what will happen. I will not rehash the story, but I will tell you that this is a funny, well-done movie that I highly recommend.