Parents' Guide to

Much Ado About Nothing

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Joss Whedon makes teen-friendly Shakespeare; some drinking.

Movie PG-13 2013 109 minutes
Much Ado About Nothing Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

tolkien geek mi
tolkien geek mi Adult
April 22, 2015
age 14+

It's Shakespeare so...

I liked this version of Much Ado. If I wanted to be picky...Conrade and Benedick weren't great. But overall it was very good. Very modern and classy. However, it's Shakespeare so... there's some language and a lot of suggestive dialogue. Admittedly it takes a couple times to discover most of the content. There's a bit of violence that could frighten younger children (though they probably wouldn't have much interest anyways) - a father smacks his adult daughter, a faux funeral procession. Also, there's one scene of implied sexual content. Nothing's explicit but there's an overtone that Don Jon may have forced himself on his lover. Overall it's a lovely film. Beautifully shot and well acted. But probably not appropriate...or interesting...for most young teens and below.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
crankylibrarian
crankylibrarian Parent
January 3, 2014
age 13+

Much Ado for adults

A dark, more mature take than the joyous Branagh version, in cool black and white with more sinister overtones. Everything works out in the end, just barely, but there's an underlying sense of menace. Implied casual sex and LOTS of drinking. I think of this as the "nice" version of Taming of the Shrew; the same battle of the sexes banter, except both parties end up giving a little and neither is totally humiliated or subjugated. Hero and Claudio may be the Dullest Lovers in Shakespeare, but who could resist the reluctantly lovesick Benedict: "I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is that not strange?" Yes, wondrously strange. And wonderful that this is a story of two former lovers who broke each other's hearts, and must conquer their mutual distrust before the happy ending. A mature Romeo and Juliet, no longer starry eyed, but old enough to know what they're doing and yet still fall rapturously in love.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The Bard's comedy MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is set in modern-day Los Angeles, where the welcoming Leonato (Clark Gregg) receives a visit from a triumphant Don Pedro (Reed Diamond), the brave Benedick (Alexis Denisof), and the able Claudio (Fran Kranz), who's in love with Leonato's daughter, Hero (Jillian Morgese). As Claudio prepares for marriage to Hero, Benedick trades barbs with Hero's cousin, Beatrice (Amy Acker), whose tongue is as cutting as her glares. But without love, hatred can't be, and sometimes it's difficult to distinguish the two. And as for Claudio and Hero, the road to matrimony can be a rocky affair with schemers spreading lies.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (1):

Unassumingly enjoyable and low-key, Much Ado works because it lets Shakespeare's words take center stage, eschewing the usual pomp and circumstance. On paper, a black-and-white version of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing filmed in a fraction of time it takes to make a typical movie and featuring ex-vampire slayers running around a circa-2010s Los Angeles house might not sound like a very good idea. But, to borrow from the Bard: "He hath indeed better bettered expectation."

Still, here's one complaint: rendering it in black-and-white feels superfluous, even distracting. And another: Though it's novel and offbeat for director Joss Whedon to have filmed the movie in his own home, doing so feels somewhat claustrophobic. Shakespeare's work needs a more expansive set. The best part of the movie is Acker, who leaves the rest of the cast -- except perhaps for Nathan Fillion, who kills as the bumbling Dogberry -- in her wake. Her Beatrice is soulful and cutting and very, very funny. Benedick stands no chance with her in the role.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the messages in the story. What is the movie, and Shakespeare's play, saying about gossip? Can it be harmful?

  • Benedick and Beatrice are the perfect examples of "opposites attract." But is this really true in real life?

  • Why are Shakespeare's plays popular in Hollywood? Does this version of Much Ado About Nothing, set in modern day, work? Can you think of any other plays you'd like to see in a modern setting?

Movie Details

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