Much Ado About Nothing

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Much Ado About Nothing

PG-13

Released May 7, 1993

1h 50m

Comedy

Romance

Drama

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90%

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50 Reviews

86%

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50,000+ Ratings

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.

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Critics Consensus

Kenneth Branagh's love for the material is contagious in this exuberant adaptation.

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David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

Much Ado About Nothing is one of the few movies of recent years that could leave its audiences weeping with joy.

Dec 31, 2019

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Doyle's enrapturing music and Branagh's cinematic grip of the play--inventive, lithe, somehow Shakespearean--are splendid. This Much Ado is a flawed gem. Certainly, regrettably, flawed; still, a gem.

Jan 5, 2018

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Adam Mars-Jones

Independent (UK)

Emma Thompson is normally a very reliable performer on screen, but Beatrice is not one of her successes.

Nov 16, 2017

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

My favorite Shakespeare adaptation of all time

Aug 14, 2024

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

It might not be set to the music of ABBA, but with Patrick Doyle’s radiant score, an intoxicatingly beautiful Tuscan setting, and an infectious, non-stop party vibe, the joyous Much Ado About Nothing feels [...] akin to Mamma Mia

Rated: 75/100

Jul 26, 2023

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Michael Dwyer

Irish Times

What a piece of work is this.

Feb 19, 2019

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 50 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $22,500,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

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Flavio C

Just joyful. As Branaugh has a massive ego and almost always deserved, it is some like the movie. Villains underdeveloped and we must trust that common humanity gets us through weak plot places. Joyful, humorous and uplifting, and location so perfect the actual space in Tuscany.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

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Andy M

I found it the most boring movie and couldn't follow the plot. So many good actors but they lost me

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/14/24

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julie b

I really wanted to love this but I didn’t. I like the enemies to lovers and playful vibe, but overall there’s too much silliness and crazy frolicking that it’s over the top and Kenneth Branagh is toooo much. There were some great convincing performances (Emma Thompson and Denzel Washington): Emma Thompson being witty while eating grapes in a tree is iconic, and I need to see more Denzel x Shakespeare or period pieces.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

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Kat W

This version of my favorite comedy by The Bard is a dull and bland as its monochrome costumes. Although, Michael Keaton is a delight the rest feel uninspired

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/24

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Audience Member

Kenneth Branagh assembles a very colorful ensemble adapting the play by William Shakespeare Believe it or not this is actually Kate Beckinsale's first feature film debut! She co-stars with Branagh, Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton, Keanu Reeves, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, and Robert Sean Leonard The dialogue delivered by these upcoming actors is easy to understand without losing much of the charm and class Shakespeare shared It's hard to make material that's hundreds of years old palpable to a general audience but the actors are really committed right down to the costumes and the mannerisms of the era

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/24

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Kenneth Branagh

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Seigneur Benedick

Emma Thompson

Beatrice

Denzel Washington

Don Pedro of Aragon

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Synopsis

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Producer: Kenneth Branagh, Stephen Evans, David Parfitt
Screenwriter: Kenneth Branagh, William Shakespeare
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: BBC, Samuel Goldwyn Company
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 27, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.5M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

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