A scene from Much Ado About Nothing.
Shot in black and white in less than two weeks in director-screenwriter Joss Whedon's very nattily appointed Santa Monica home, this modern-day adaptation of one of Shakespeare's most bouyant odes to crazy, stupid love is unlikely to hit the strike zones of fans beloved of Whedon for Buffy, Firefly or (most definitely not) The Avengers. But Whedonists are a breed of their own, so who knows? While there's clearly a lot of affection in the effort and passion in the performances, the universally pretty nature of the cast and Ikea-showroom perfection of the setting suggests Shakespeare sponsored by Absolut and tailored by Hugo Boss. Too tasteful and twee, that is, by half, and sadly unmarauded by demons from the Hellmouth.
Sept. 14, 11:00 a.m., Visa Screening Room.