Beginning of Essay
Kenneth Branagh's decision to set his film at the Villa Vignamaggio in the hills of Tuscany, rather than in a city, sets the tone of his interpretation of Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. Rather than the formal society overly concerned with outward ap ....

Middle of Essay
.... approaching soldiers are seen far below this bucolic scene, the sound track soars, a flag is whipping in the wind, there is a close-up of each soldiers face; they raise their fists to signal victory. The excitement is intense. Everyone rushes to the villa amid laughter, squeals, soaring music, shedding cloths, bare bottoms, and bathing. The mood is set. Utilizing the beautiful rose colored villa, gorgeous scenery, glorious music, imaginative cinematography, Branagh's Much Ado is more sensual and aesthetic than intellectual. Shakespeare relied almost wholly on his language for effect-- his sensuality was verbal, Branagh's is visual. Shakespear ....