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Let's kick off Shakespeare Month with one of my favorites! A film that is so energetic that you cannot help but join the fun. It is a nuanced presentation of one of The Bard's signature comedies that can only arise from a deep appreciation and profound understanding of how much fun it can be to perform Shakespeare.
Before discussing the film itself, allow me to provide a brief history of the man behind the film, along with many of the Shakespeare adaptations we'll be discussing here; Kenneth Branagh.
Born in Belfast, Mr. Brahagh joined the Royal Shakespeare Company at age twenty-three. Six years later, he would star in and direct a feature-film adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V, which earned him an Oscar nomination for both categories. In addition to performing and directing a few more Shakespeare films (which we will cover in due time), he's also made some of the most classic cinema works of the 90s. Including the time-related thriller Dead Again and arguably the most faithful adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. His latest works as the director included Marvel Studios' first Thor movie, Murder on the Orient Express, and, unfortunately, Disney's Artemis Fowl. But let's not hold that against him.
One of the things that makes Kenneth Branagh such an engaging director (most of the time) is his ability to insert a kind of shared silliness into his projects. Not so much the kind that makes fun of itself, but rather the kind that encourages you to relax and have fun with the proceedings. Because contrary to popular conjecture, Shakespeare's works are not exclusive high-class art but rather a universal voice that anyone can understand and appreciate. Few people working in Hollywood understand this better than Mr. Brahagh, and as a result, his takes on The Bard's plays are treated with an air of high energy and enthusiasm that makes you want to pay attention. He has a talent for presenting the text so that, even though you may not completely understand the words themselves, you understand what is being said, purely by the performances and visual language of his direction.
This is why his adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing is so damn fun to watch! Branagh brings such intoxicating, passionate energy to his films that they can be enjoyed by anyone. Even those who may not like Shakespeare. Branagh's top priority seems to be entertaining and engaging at all times. A quality often overlooked by many other great directors.
Well, now that I've gushed about Kenneth Branagh for a few paragraphs, I suppose it's high time I talked about the actual movie.
In all honesty, this is one of those cases where I feel that the less you know of the story before going into it, assuming you haven't already read the original play or seen it on stage, the more enjoyable it will likely be. This will become an occurring theme for all future Shakespeare reviews this month. Less focus on the story and more on how well it is presented.
What I will say is that this is a perfect film for Shakespearian beginners and veterans alike. It is a film that spreads joy and enthusiasm in all the right ways. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly encourage you to check it out. It will speak to you in one way or another. I promise.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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