Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

This is relatively short, very entertaining fluff.  Watch for the mass bathing/semi-orgy scene near the beginning-now this, children, is what is called "artistic license".  This movie is also easier than some others to follow if you're not familiar with the play or with Shakespeare in general, which is good.  There are a few text cuts but nothing to gripe about; I noticed in particular that the line "If I do not love her, I am a Jew" is missing.  Hmmm.  There is also a few-minute interlude of Kenneth Branagh as Benedick running through a fountain (with clothes on; don't worry) and Emma Thompson as Beatrice on a swing.  I'm not quite sure what this is, but it's gratuitous something...  Keanu Reeves turns in a decent performance as the bad guy, Don John the Bastard (in the literal and figurative sense), and Denzel Washington is typically great as his legitimate brother, Don Pedro the matchmaker (extremely colorblind casting).  I guess scowling isn't above Keanu's skills.  Michael Keaton is hilarious as the competent-by-accident constable Dogberry.  All ends happily, which I generally like in movies.  This is a classic and if you've never seen it you should go rent it as soon as possible.  And I mean that.

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