Szabó Szófia: Abuse Is a Crime, Not an Excuse

During the project work in our film group my task was to take a closer look at the representation of the characters focusing on one particular scene. We chose to analyze the wedding scene because it represents the two filmmakers’ different approaches to the original, and it is here, in this scene that the audience can see the full effects of their chosen ways in adapting the characters from the text. Although, I tried my best to find all the differences between all the characters that are present at the wedding, to be honest what stroked me the most was how Claudio and Leonato reacted to Hero’s “unfaithfulness”. I believe, that there are obvious differences between the two interpretations and the only affinity one can see between Whedon’s and Branagh’s Claudio and Leonato are that they are saying the same lines. But because they are acting in a totally different way, the characters change and so does the audience’s opinion about them.

Anytime someone asked me which version I liked better, I always had mixed feelings and did not know what to answer. However, after focusing on Claudio and having a debate with myself, I decided to prefer the black and white version of him. Why? Because in my opinion, it is never ever acceptable to abuse a woman, no matter what the circumstances are or which century we are in. I am sure, everyone remembers how in the 1993 version of Much Ado About Nothing Claudio twists Hero’s arm and then shoves her so hard she flies over a bench. He basically acts like an angry little boy who throws a tantrum after not getting his desired candy from the store. Of course he has every right to be angry, since he believes Hero was unfaithful right before their wedding day, and it is one thing to humiliate her verbally, but throwing her over a bench then destroying the whole scenery is just too much. Although, I have to mention that the whole movie is build up on intense performances; but then again, I was never a big fan of men abusing women.

 Moreover, in Branagh’s adaptation Leonato pulls Hero’s hair, hits her and people have to hold him back from attacking her, whereas in Whedon’s edition Leonato just turns away and seems like he does not even want to look at her, let alone touch her. It is not difficult to see that in the earlier version, Leonato seems to be a cruel, mad man, whereas black and white Leonato is simply broken hearted and disappointed in her daughter. What I am trying to point out, is that Whedon’s Leonato seems to be more understanding, and represents feelings that are so much closer to reality, while the 1993 version of Leonato is focused on his anger and embarrassment caused by her daughter. Unfortunately, the second reaction could be real as well, and it is not surprising in the earlier adaption, because as I said before the intensity of performance is one of the most emphasized elements of Branagh’s film. However, comparing it to the 2012 adaptation, I believe that the wedding scene and the two character’s interactions are too violent as long as abusing women is considered.

To sum up, the point of my comparison of the characters is not to decide which version is better, or who played the role better but to understand that the different styles of directing a scene can change or add to the original idea of a character. As a consequence everyone can see that while Branagh focused on the intensity of performance, Whedon introduces his audience to a rather real and emotional black and white realm. Yet, as a personal opinion I must mention that abusing a woman is not an excuse, it is a crime.