10 Underrated Films From The Last 5 Years That Flew Way Under The Radar

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 84%

Box Office: $5.3 million

Despite it coming out in between The Avengers and Avengers: Age Of Ultron, director Joss Whedon’s Shakespeare adaptation Much Ado About Nothing still managed to fly under the radar. Whedon shot the film in secret during a two week break from directing The Avengers, enlisting the help of regular collaborators Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Sean Maher, Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof. Whedon’s family were also involved, with his wife co-producing and his brother recording songs for the soundtrack.

Shot in rich black and white, the film does not stray too far from Shakespeare’s original play, with the plot remaining largely unchanged. The only notable differences were the switching of Conrade’s gender, the consolidation of several minor roles into that of aide Leanato and Ursula’s role being expanded by giving her a number of Margaret’s scenes. And the modern American setting, of course.

The contemporary angle Whedon puts on this classic tale could have backfired horribly if he was unable to keep up the pace he sets in the opening fifteen minutes, but keep the pace up he does. The excitement and anxiety intermingle right from the get-go, and keep us glued right up until the final act. This is a clever, criminally under-watched film that shows there's still fresh ways to approach Shakespeare 400 years later.