MovieChat Forums > Much Ado About Nothing (2013) Discussion > They talk funny....I just turned it off.

They talk funny....I just turned it off.


I couldn't understand anything they were saying so after about 20 minutes I just turned it off.

Weird.

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That's because it's mostly using Shakespeare's script. That's how all Shakespeare play writes are.

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Am I suppose to understand it?

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English as a language was different back when this was written, so it is natural for there to be some disconnect with some of the words and phrases, but for the most part the play can be understood pretty well today. I advise reading a summary of the play and trying to watch it again. That will give you a basic framework to put everything in and help you immediately know how the characters relate to each other. You do eventually develop better comprehension of the language as you get used to it. It is familiar enough that the meaning usually comes through.

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Actually, this is false. Yes, English was different, but it was no where near as different as it is in Shakespeare's plays. People make this mistake all the time but people did not speak this way back during that time.

The thing with Shakespeare is if you just listen closely, you'll understand it. The words come at you in an interesting order, creating interesting rythums that sound much more pleasing to the ear. (For example: Shakespeare wrote in this play the line "you are an ass!" And the reason it's hysterical is because it's so simple after everything the other character just spouted off.)

So no, you don't have to speak "Shakespearean." That's kind of like saying "I don't speak rap."

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Am I suppose to understand it?
1) No ...unless-
- you're quite familiar with Shakespeare in general
- or, you've studied this particular play in detail
- or, you routinely read and hear big chunks of the King James translation of the Bible
- or, you've Googled and Wikipediad for a couple hours

2) Yes, once you turn on the subtitles!
It's a DVD, the subtitle track is already there, all you have to do is turn it on. Turning it on and seeing all the words makes a huge difference.

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It's nice to see people being nice to one another on these boards. I was totally expecting rude comments. Thanks Sara and inspector :)

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It's probably because adults come to this board. Much nicer

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Glad I wasn't the only one. Got it simply because of the name 'Whedon'. But when I buy a dvd supposedly in English I expect it to be in modern English, because... I actually understand that without having to keep pausing and letting my brain painfully translate - completely losing the value of any tension or humour.

I have an IQ of 141. That doesn't mean that I can speak *beep* Shakespearean. I can only assume the people who were able to understand this film are already familiar with the plot of Much Ado About Nothing, in which case why were you even bothering to watch this film remake that clones the play's dialogue?

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I'm gonna assume that IQ came from an online test.

Yes, I read the play first. And yes, it does help. I'm surprised someone with such a high IQ doesn't understand that being prepared is a good thing.

We watch the movie for the same reason we would watch the play: for the performances. For the humor. For the drama. For the romance.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

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I expect it to be in modern English

Actually Shakespeare is considered by linguists as being in "Modern English". Or an early form of it at least.

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/shakespearelanguage.html

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The statements

"But when I buy a dvd supposedly in English I expect it to be in modern English..."

and

"I have an IQ of 141..."

don't really seem to gel together.

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That poster seems to feel that Shakespeare's original dialog should never again appear in a movie. That doesn't seem reasonable to me. Anyone can dislike it or choose not to watch it, but to feel that it SHOULD NOT EXIST is pointless. Other people are still interested in Shakespeare's original text.

___
All insults will be interpreted as an admission that you cannot contribute to the discussion.

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I was able to understand the film just fine, and I went in not knowing the plot or characters beforehand. Try watching it without pausing and waiting for your brain to catch up and translate. This older version of Modern English has a cadence to it that fails if you keep putting it on pause.

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I didn't not like the film at all.

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[deleted]

I can only assume the people who were able to understand this film are already familiar with the plot of Much Ado About Nothing, in which case why were you even bothering to watch this film remake that clones the play's dialogue?


I had next to zero problem understanding it. I've never read or seen Much ado, I was tired and didn't watch it with sub-titles. But as for your question, why wouldn't you want to see different interpretations?

In the kingdom of the blind, you're the village idiot.

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Exactly. By that other poster's rational, why would I even bother seeing the play since it too just recycles the same dialogue.

Can't stop the signal.

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Are you an idiot?

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Haha, I think the title of their post has already answered this question.

"All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine." -Jeff Spicoli

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Actually I was pleased to see this thread, I came on here to find out whether 'modernised' meant they had tampered with the text. It seems not, so I can go ahead and watch it. Thanks, OP and everyone.

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'modernised'


The setting? Yes.
Pasadena in the 2000's. Have you seen the publicity poster of the guy with a snorkel and a mask and a martini glass in a swimming pool? That tells you just how far afield from usual Shakespearean settings the production sometimes goes. In fact a good description of the production is "quirky".

The costumes? Yes.
Suits and ties and summer dresses, taken from the actors' own closets.

The characters? A bit.
Several minor characters are combined into one "aide" character. There are a couple gender swaps (which IMHO are completely natural). And Antonio (Leonato's brother) has been simplified away completely.

The interpretation? "Fresh"
How many other productions have you seen where Beatrice and Benedick have some "history"? This production pays lots of attention to the psychology of individual characters other than the lead couples - almost every action "makes sense" in a modern context.

The words? Not changed. Those are sacred.
-One distinctly non-PC word was substituted. A non-PC line that's usually cut was retained but interpreted differently so it works without being so insulting.
-The different setting requires an entire line to be cut here and there, or an entire scene in at least one case (the singing of "Sigh No More" in the garden by Balthazar is replaced by an iPod in a room in the house). And the challenge to a duel and subsequent forgiveness is so reduced that you don't think of dueling at all, even though the anger and the confrontation are still there.
-Other whole chunks have been deleted here and there for either simplicity or shortness. But you'd never know it unless you were following a text. I found similar omissions in the Branagh production (but in different locations of course).




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Well, it was only the text I was concerned about. The setting sounds fun, I don't have any problem with that. After all, Shakespeare did Shakespeare in modern dress.

I will seek it out.

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[deleted]

...4. I would like to make a friendly suggestion: Subtitles...
Yes !!!
(me too)

It's a DVD, the subtitle track is already there, and on this particular DVD it contains every word. All you have to do is turn it on. With subtitles it's a completely different and much better viewing experience.

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Agreed about turning the subtitles on. It helps a lot.

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Imagine if English is not your first language. It's ten times worse when it's translated to Spanish :/

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I watched this in the cinema with two friends and whilst I enjoyed it from the beginning; both of my friends took a while to get into the flow of the story. Once they did they both said it was good.

So maybe you should give it another go?

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