sign in
register
Watch
MGM Plus Hoopla fuboTV
+11
Much Ado About Nothing
MGM Plus Hoopla fuboTV
+11
JustWatch
Remove ads

Much Ado About Nothing

1993
Romance
Comedy
1h 51m
Young lovers Hero and Claudio, soon to wed, conspire to get verbal sparring partners and confirmed singles Benedick and Beatrice to wed as well. (imdb)
Directed by:
Kenneth Branagh Kenneth Branagh
Written by:
Kenneth Branagh Kenneth Branagh William Shakespeare William Shakespeare
+1 more
Starring:
Denzel Washington Denzel Washington Kate Beckinsale Kate Beckinsale Michael Keaton Michael Keaton Keanu Reeves Keanu Reeves Kenneth Branagh Kenneth Branagh Robert Sean Leonard Robert Sean Leonard Imelda Staunton Imelda Staunton Emma Thompson Emma Thompson Richard Briers Richard Briers Brian Blessed Brian Blessed Phyllida Law Phyllida Law Jimmy Yuill Jimmy Yuill
More
Genres:
Romance, Comedy
Countries:
UK, USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
See title update history
Suggest an edit
Show Less
Your probable score
?

Much Ado About Nothing

1993
Romance
Comedy
1h 51m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 57.03% from 1170 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1170)
Compact view
clear
Compact view
Show
Sort
nadihNadiH
Rated 03 Jun 2009
85
62nd
Even a great film adaptation of shakespeare with a mostly great cast and a truly clear, masterful director with respect for and knowledge of the source material lacks the greatness of a decent stage production. To any and all fans of this movie - if you don't regularly see Shakespeare on stage, see a professional production. Start with this play. That being said this is a great adaptation, one of the best. Keanu Reeves cannot be ignored, however, as he takes a shit on Don John.
Rated 03 Jun 2009
stepsidewaysstepsideways
Rated 02 Dec 2007
93
84th
Robert Sean Leonard is hilariously awful, and Kenneth Branagh is clearly channeling Basil Fawlty during his soliloquies, but these things make this version much more entertaining if not sublime. I wonder whether Leonard was cast intentionally to provide just the sort of laughable, wooden emotions two-dimensional Claudio requires. On the other hand, Shakespeare's hilarious passages do come across here, aided by some camera and editing ingenuity. Great stuff.
Rated 02 Dec 2007
mucowmucow
Rated 19 Feb 2007
65
47th
These are some profoundly silly people.
Rated 19 Feb 2007
antaresAntares
Rated 05 Apr 2011
60
26th
What was Branagh thinking??? Keanu Reeves as Don John...Michael Keaton as Dogberry??? Aside from these strange choices, Branagh's interpretation is mildly entertaining, even though his Benedick is much the boob. If you are looking for an easy way into the works of Shakespeare, this could be a lighthearted way of introducing yourself. But after viewing, please seek out the BBC television version from 1984, with Cherie Lunghi and Robert Lindsay in the lead roles.
Rated 05 Apr 2011
rant1229rant1229
Rated 24 Jul 2012
3
45th
Solid as Shakespeare but perhaps more fascinating as a contest of acting chops in which Emma Thompson is clearly the winner, Branagh displays screwball charm, Leonard pouts about unconvincingly, Washington and Beckinsale look pretty and little else, and Keaton wildly channels Beetlejuice. As for Reeves pulling up the rear, I'll say this: Don John is a thankless, pointless, one-dimensional, merely plot-serving role, that I've seen many actors struggle with. Though maybe not this badly.
Rated 24 Jul 2012
meckleycp1meckleycp1
Rated 22 Nov 2010
86
79th
Kenneth Branagh is a master of portraying Shakespeare's most famous works, and Much Ado is no exception. Branagh and Thompson put in excellent (and at times hilarious) performances as Benedick and Beatrice, and they are backed by a great cast, including a very strong Denzel. This movie's one big shortcoming is that it features Keanu Reeves as Don John and an utterly ridiculous Michael Keaton as Dogberry. A great adaptation nonetheless, and the final marriage/song and dance scene is amazing.
Rated 22 Nov 2010
medMed
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
53rd
Good version of the Shakespear play, with some better than good performances.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 17 Sep 2007
70
63rd
slight but entertaining
Rated 17 Sep 2007
corbadCorbad
Rated 22 Jun 2023
45
10th
After inflating his ego to the size of a blimp by blowing air up his own ass, Kenneth Branagh strides aimlessly through sun and shade performing his best Hugh Laurie impression, forgetting to give anyone else direction. And then, dragged straight from the set of Beetlejuice and told simply to carry on, Keaton somehow manages to be even more unwatchable. This has to be the worst, most indulgent and messily adapted attempt at Shakespeare ever made.
Rated 22 Jun 2023
undersmilesundersmiles
Rated 12 Feb 2011
90
86th
The one and only play that I liked by Shakespeare :] Very well adapted to film & an amazing set of cast. My only question is why wasn't Denzel dancing at the end of the movie?
Rated 12 Feb 2011
jetpacjetpac
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
41st
Very good, for a Shakespeare play
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jamasieljamasiel
Rated 08 Apr 2016
90
78th
One of the best Shakespearean adaptations ever put to film.
Rated 08 Apr 2016
tevtev
Rated 16 Jul 2023
45
43rd
had to watch this in school
Rated 16 Jul 2023
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 18 Aug 2012
95
91st
Gloriously entertaining Shakespeare workout finds Branagh and Thompson in exceptional form, and an eclectic supporting cast bringing vigor and excitement to the poetry (including perhaps surprising stand-outs Washington and Keaton). Beautifully and boisteriously shot, the film is an incredibly enjoyable and happy affair. Even Reeves makes for an effectively smouldering villain, though he can't quite seem to come to grips with the cadence of Shakespeare.
Rated 18 Aug 2012
garlonussGarlonuss
Rated 15 Oct 2008
85
75th
This is a pretty faithful rendition of the bard's play and there's plenty of humor.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
atlas423Atlas423
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
69th
A sparkling Shakespearian masterwork.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jurganJurgan
Rated 08 Aug 2012
90
50th
Kenneth Branagh brings Shakespeare to the big screen like no one else.
Rated 08 Aug 2012
groovysoulsGroovy_Souls
Rated 16 Oct 2016
75
64th
Much Ado About Nothing is actually quite good. While I admit I am a sucker for the original story, Branagh's vision works incredibly well, here. Branagh and Thompson's performances are both incredible, and the supporting cast all rock, minus a stale Keanu. And honestly, it's a beautiful film, as a Shakespeare adaptation should be. Very, very good.
Rated 16 Oct 2016
nick_hamdenNick Hamden
Rated 03 Jun 2013
60
47th
I don't think this film gets enough credit. It has Denzel Washington and Keanu Reeves doing Shakespeare. SHAKESPEARE.
Rated 03 Jun 2013
doctortupacdoctortupac
Rated 28 Mar 2013
48
18th
I must admit this isn't one of my favorite Shakespeare plays to begin with. However, there is potential in it for an entertaining production, should one acknowledge the dark undercurrents within it. Branagh seems more interested in making the film appealing to a rom com audience.
Rated 28 Mar 2013
evan_watersEvan Waters
Rated 28 Apr 2009
94
90th
One of the best Shakespeare adaptations out there, with Emma Thompson's Beatrice standing out as the definitive rendition of the role.
Rated 28 Apr 2009
henrikHenrik
Rated 16 Dec 2010
70
57th
Shakespeare virgins may start here.
Rated 16 Dec 2010
jessjess125Jessjess125
Rated 02 Sep 2022
94
89th
One of my favorite opening movie scenes of all time.
Rated 02 Sep 2022
elfflameElfflame
Rated 11 May 2008
78
42nd
Take out Keanu and replace him with someone else, and this would have gone up another four notches.
Rated 11 May 2008
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 12 Aug 2010
56
77th
#00s(e), liked, oldies(2) }*{ #90s(m)#, story, Emma T.
Rated 12 Aug 2010
metalhankmetalhank
Rated 17 Jan 2019
58
35th
Way too Shakespeare-y for me to really enjoy this, and if only a little more than PG with a smoking hot Beckinsale in it.
Rated 17 Jan 2019
triffidtriffid
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
48th
A nice, pleasant film. And it's fun to watch Keanu Reeves pretend that he actually can act.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
torgo1968torgo1968
Rated 09 Jul 2007
87
76th
Gorgeous and sweet adaptation by Kenneth Branagh. The international cast is top notch* and the film manages to balance an almost drunken romantic sense with humor that still holds up. I had a crush on both Emma Thompson and Kate Beckinsale after seeing this. *Except for Keanu Reeves. HOOOLY crap is he awful. Astounding. And Michael Keaton isn't much better as his speech is often indecipherable.
Rated 09 Jul 2007
tavingtonTavington
Rated 10 Jul 2010
2
37th
K. Reeves is one good looking badass yet the worst acted role in movie(and probably also in his career). Otherwise it's mediocre Shakespeare adaptation.
Rated 10 Jul 2010
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 12 May 2017
83
54th
B+
Rated 12 May 2017
tarmatarma
Rated 15 Nov 2014
75
32nd
It's a shame, but outside of Branagh and Thompson I found the cast lacking. Well, the main cast. Keaton of course is unwaveringly hilarious. But for the rest - meh, Hero and Claudio are flavorless, Don Pedro only slightly less so. And the less said about Keanu's role, the better.
Rated 15 Nov 2014
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 10 Jun 2009
5
98th
The story is well told, the cinematography is beautiful and the acting is great overall. Reeves almost ruins it, but Thompson & Brannagh's chemistry more than makes up for his 'performance'.
Rated 10 Jun 2009
aarona1caarona1c
Rated 24 Aug 2007
90
81st
A great play brought to life on-screen by Shakespeare movie experts. With the obvious exception of Keanu, playing well out of his range for the 20th time, this is a perfect cast.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
annmovieAnnMovie
Rated 22 Mar 2008
92
71st
Branagh & Thompson are perfect! I so appreciate that they play their roles like real people delivering lines with emotion & character, acting the roles instead of the sounds of the words. This totally helps to understand the story when the language is difficult to follow. One of my favorite Shakespeare plays (though some of the subplots with the "fools" are annoying) but hats off to Branagh for a wonderful movie & adaptation! When he describes the type of woman he would marry is awesome!
Rated 22 Mar 2008
stainStain
Rated 18 Feb 2009
80
68th
I liked it even though I'm a Shakespeare idiot
Rated 18 Feb 2009
timon88Timon88
Rated 23 Apr 2020
77
77th
One of the most lively and engaging Shakespeare films around. Emma Thompson is simply fantastic--every word and nuance seem to be incandescent--and Kenneth Branagh is almost her equal. Most of cast is good, especially Robert Sean Leonard. Phyllida Law doesn't have much to say, but makes the most of every word. Michael Keaton's bits are quite good, too. Everyone complains (rightfully) about Keanu, but really Denzel is almost as bad. Not as bad as the music, though--those songs are god-awful.
Rated 23 Apr 2020
miracleyangmiracleyang
Rated 27 Aug 2015
50
33rd
Who wants to see Keanu Reeves do Shakespeare? You know you do. Still not the best adaptation
Rated 27 Aug 2015
daniellanDaniellaN
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
99th
One of the best Shakespeare films EVER!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
squareheadSquarehead
Rated 01 Dec 2009
70
55th
An entertaining film, and worth a watch. The Thompson/Brannagh relationship certainly provided the cutting edge and most of the humour (Keaton excepted). The point is that it was written as a play at a time when cinema could not even have been imagined, and you can tell that this could never lace the boots of a well produced stage performance.
Rated 01 Dec 2009
jwestjwest
Rated 20 Aug 2007
65
40th
Sadly, Keanu Reeves' brief appearance almost ruins this film. He should stick to playing surfers.
Rated 20 Aug 2007
croweycrowey
Rated 26 Feb 2022
90
93rd
Keanu’s Prince John is timelessly riffable. The bumbling clowns are grotesque & offputting. Everyone else is incredible. There’s no beating Thompson & Brannagh.
Rated 26 Feb 2022
doctor7doctor7
Rated 26 Mar 2008
70
52nd
Good take on Much Ado. Kenneth Branagh is fantastic, as he pretty much always is doing Shakespeare, and I found everyone else to be at least good as well. All except for Keanu Reeves. Now I think we should be fair to Mr. Reeves in saying I think Don John is simply one of the shallowist villains ever so actually giving him character is really tough. With that said Don John doesn't have a major amount of screen time so it doesn't drag down the film. Entertaining if you're into Shakespeare.
Rated 26 Mar 2008
glm01glm01
Rated 22 Oct 2013
82
71st
82.000
Rated 22 Oct 2013
micahmicah
Rated 04 Sep 2010
75
79th
Solid interpretation of the bard. Emma Thompson and Denzel Washington shine. Keanu Reeves and Brian Blessed don't fare so well.
Rated 04 Sep 2010
akariking93Akariking93
Rated 17 Jul 2011
80
63rd
Possibly Branagh's most accessible work, Much Ado is a wonderfully told and executed take on the classic Shakespeare play. All actors, sans Reaves obviously, bring in wonderful performances and while the constant Shakespearean dialogue is sure to turn off some people, it's still a film I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good movie about pure love, romance and betrayal.
Rated 17 Jul 2011
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
41
30th
Average adaptation. Branagh is very good.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
burstbubbleBurstBubble
Rated 10 Feb 2009
90
68th
with very minor edits.
Rated 10 Feb 2009
marybethbMaryBethB
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
83rd
Shakespeare was never this fun in High School! Michael Keaton did a wonderful job as the dim-witted constable, and having two great actors like Denzel and Keanu play brothers just made it that much more enjoyable.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 24 Feb 2007
50
35th
Not bad.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
pompousasspompousass
Rated 21 Mar 2009
20
44th
Shakespeare, naturally, and nearly as naturally, Branagh. As always with Shakespeare, even without Branagh, there is a period of adjustment. The opening recital of the Hey Nonny, Nonny lyric, with the widely spaced and overarticulated words spelled out on screen in almost a follow-the-bouncing-ball fashion, is meant to make the transition easy, but it's more apt to raise concerns about the envisioned audience: Shakespeare for the groundlings of the Nineties? Shakespeare for schoolchildren only?
Rated 21 Mar 2009
glmglm
Rated 25 Oct 2011
81
69th
81.250
Rated 25 Oct 2011
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 17 Jan 2014
50
49th
Other than the asinine selection of Denzel Washington in the role of lord, this movie is good and entertaining. The language is a bit convoluted as Shakespeare always is, however, thankfully it is understandable. The story is mostly humorous and the action is entertaining. It's impossible not to like the very young Kate Beckensale and the sassy acting Emma Thompson in this.
Rated 17 Jan 2014
doyler29doyler29
Rated 14 Feb 2023
60
23rd
I thought it was nice that the guy from "Dead Poets Society" who really really wanted to be a Shakespearean actor ... so much so that he killed himself when Red Foreman wouldn't let him ... got to be in a play after all.
Rated 14 Feb 2023
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
27th
God I hate Branagh and Thompson.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
lennyneroLennyNero
Rated 03 Oct 2008
80
80th
Funny and beautiful cinematography.
Rated 03 Oct 2008
pippatPippat
Rated 30 Oct 2010
99
0th
Luscious tuscan landscape, glowing, full bodied performances by Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh, the reigning monarchs of Britfilm in the 1990s. Lush inspired, mainly untampered with script, Michael Keaton is hilarious with Ben Elton. My non-Shakesperean co-watcher said that it was one of the few Shakesperean films he has understood simply by the quality of the acting and crispness of style. Emma T is a classically Shakesperean heroine; feisty, with a sharp tongue, and no botox!
Rated 30 Oct 2010
tvfilm_hubTV+Film-Hub
Rated 01 Sep 2010
0
3rd
Way too floozy. Just no possible way I'm going to get through it.
Rated 01 Sep 2010
shewasSheWas
Rated 07 Apr 2012
60
54th
Love Thompson so much... fab british ado.
Rated 07 Apr 2012
schnofelschnofel
Rated 04 Jan 2016
77
87th
I have no idea if Branagh knows how campy his film is. I mean, the comedy is pure golden movement and frolicking about, as it should be, but the biggest laughs come from Shakespeare's stupid turn into tragedy. Sad Keanu is hilarious, the father slapping his daughter at the wedding is hilarious, the bards singing sad songs at Hero's grave are as well. The only thing that isn't sparkly and effervescent and great is the hammy, vulgar Keaton.
Rated 04 Jan 2016
three-questions_ii???
Rated 09 Dec 2012
45
25th
Crooked and sluggish, apart from Emma Thompson..
Rated 09 Dec 2012
tails32xtails32x
Rated 24 Dec 2006
60
41st
The story is already weak but it's still enjoyable. Emma Thompson is excellent as always.
Rated 24 Dec 2006
grouchoGroucho
Rated 31 May 2011
35
77th
"Branagh's highly entertaining and accessible take on one of the Bard's zestiest comedies."
Rated 31 May 2011
torovititoroviti
Rated 05 Jul 2010
70
40th
Passable Shakespearean adaptation, but far from the best.
Rated 05 Jul 2010

Collections

(17)
Compact view
Show
Sort
theficionado
Moderated by theficionado
Last updated on with What's Up, Doc?
jorg
Moderated by Jorg
Last updated on with Bohemian Rhapsody
midaso
Moderated by Midaso
Last updated on with Snack Shack
shmendrek
Moderated by Shmendrek
Last updated on with Much Ado About Christmas
peaceanarchy
Moderated by PeaceAnarchy
Last updated on with Hamlet
ehk2
Moderated by ehk2
Last updated on with Uncle Vanya
ununnilium
Moderated by Ununnilium
Last updated on with The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover
dunstan_xxx
Moderated by Dunstan-xxx
Last updated on with Oppenheimer
Last updated on with Broken Highway
monocle
Moderated by monocle
Last updated on with The Sword and the Rose
kasperl
Moderated by KasperL
Last updated on with The Best Man
peaceanarchy
Moderated by PeaceAnarchy
Last updated on with Edward Scissorhands
caffe
Moderated by caffe
Last updated on with Show Me Love
dunstan_xxx
Moderated by Dunstan-xxx
Last updated on with Go Tell It on the Mountain
filmsaltac
Moderated by FilmsAltAc
Last updated on with I Want You Back
mzeeshikamu
Moderated by MzeeShikamu
Last updated on with The Stand
tpbradbury
Moderated by tpbradbury
Last updated on with The Nutty Professor
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...