Synopsis
A modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.
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Cast
- Amy AckerBeatrice
- Alexis DenisofBenedick
- Nathan FillionDogberry
- Clark GreggLeonato
- Reed DiamondDon Pedro
- Fran KranzClaudio
- Jillian MorgeseHero
- Sean MaherDon John
- Spencer Treat ClarkBorachio
- Riki LindhomeConrade
Recommendations
- 91
The Playlist
Its off-the-cuff nature makes for a film that is not flawless – the music is a bit daft, and some of the acting a little too “large” for the intimate setting – but is, from beginning to end, delightful. - 90
New York Magazine (Vulture)
The movie’s singular acting triumph is Nathan Fillion’s Constable Dogberry, one of Shakespeare’s simpler buffoons made poetic by understatement. Fillion speaks softly, with uninflected sincerity, a brilliant departure from the standard gregarious-hambone Dogberry. It’s his insularity — his imperviousness to the interjections of more observant people — that makes him such a touchingly credible clown. - 80
The Guardian
But Whedon's key coup is in simply directing a very good version of the play. He's got a keen ear for comedy, a no-nonsense approach to ditching the gags that don't work, a deft hand for slapstick and an eagerness to use it. - 80
The Hollywood Reporter
More than most adaptations, this is a film true to Shakespeare's practice of employing all means at hand to keep the crowd entertained. - 80
Village Voice
With its interrogations of gender, feminism, and marriage, Shakespeare's comedy is an apt vehicle for Whedon's own storytelling agenda. - 75
Film.com
This tiny friends-and-family production has the vibe of a project done on weekends and after school. That’s no knock. It is vibrant and bubbly and just clever enough to engage people who wouldn’t normally watch a black-and-white micro-budget Shakespeare adaptation without any big movie stars. - 75
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
A winking comedy with dark underpinnings and some of Shakespeare’s most wicked wordplay. - 60
Time Out
The movie feels like too much of a lark. To paraphrase the play’s voice of reason, Friar Francis, it would be better if Whedon paused awhile and let his counsel sway us more.
