Much Ado About Nothing

Disappointingly the movie never warms to the material, the pace of WS's writing, the comedy or the drama. The cinematography is distracting, but the real frustration comes from watching the people say their lines (not quite acting, closer to reading or recital). In several scenes the actors almost looked embarrassed to be saying the Bard's lines, and the discomfort is palpable. In an effort to sound 'natural' the artifice is exposed.

Time and time again, it's easy to disappear into the story only to find oneself straining from the other side of the screen to hear and understand the dialog. The music and cinematography is wonderful. The actors speak their lines as if Shakespearean English is their mother tongue... only if we could hear it better...

Easily my favorite Shakespeare play of all time. Done by one of my favorite directors. Classic, understated, with an indepedance that could only be pulled out by this cast. Warning: may cause house envy. Seriously Joss...we get it. You have a nice house.