Genre

Romantic Comedy

Directed By

Kenneth Branagh

Cast

Kate Beckinsale, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington,
Keanu Reeves, Robert Sean Leonard, Kenneth Branagh,
Michael Keaton

Plot Summary

Young lovers Hero and Claudio are to be married in one week. To pass the time, they conspire with Don Pedro to set a "lover's trap" for Benedick, an arrogant confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice, his favourite sparring partner. Meanwhile, the evil Don Jon conspires to break up the wedding by accusing Hero of infidelity. In the end, though, it all turns out to be "much ado about nothing."

Comments

• A very cheerful movie, can hardly take the moments of doom and despair seriously
• This high-spirited, zestful comedy stands head and shoulders above the silly high-concept "comedies" being turned out by the major studios.
• Superb performance by most of the cast... well, except for Keanu Reeves
• Impressive direction by Kenneth Branagh

Memorable Quotes

Benedick: I wish my horse had the speed of your tongue.

Benedick: The world must be peopled.

Claudio: Friendship is constant, save in the offices and affairs of love.

Claudio: Done to death by slanderous tongues, was the Hero that here lies: Death, in guerdon of her wrongs, gives her fame which never dies. So the life that died with shame lives in death with glorious fame. Hang thou there upon the tomb, praising her when I am dumb. Now, music, sound and sing your solemn hymn.

Beatrice: Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more. Men were deceivers ever. One foot at sea and one on shore, to one thing constant never. Then sigh not so but let them go and be you blithe and bonny, converting all your songs of woe into hey nonny nonny.

Beatrice: Against my will, I am sent to bid you come into dinner.
Benedick: Fair Beatrice, thank you for your pains.
Beatrice: I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me. If it had been painful, I would not have come.
Benedick: You take pleasure then in the message?
Beatrice: Yea, just so much as you may take upon a knife's point. You have no stomach, signior? Fare you well.
Benedick: Ha! "Against my will I am sent to bid you come into dinner." There's a double meaning in that.