The return of Shakespeare, one of the most popular playwrights of all time, has occurred once again. His work has influenced a variety of pop culture, including songs, films, and tv shows, and the newest addition to this is the 2024 movie, “Anyone but you,” which took inspiration from his play “Much ado bout nothing.”
The movie follows two characters, Bea and Ben, who, at first, seem to be a perfect couple; however, after one amazing night together, the pair separate and do not see each other for six months until Bea’s sister’s wedding in Australia, where she is marrying Ben’s friend. The two pretend to be the ideal couple at the wedding, which, in the end, becomes a reality.
“This movie seems very funny and is relatable to many people. It has some of the best actors in my opinion. The trailer, honestly, looked really funny, and I would pay for me and my friends to go watch it together,” Sierra Cook, junior, said.
The same themes of perfect partners and deception arise in “Much ado bout nothing” when an almost identical plotline plays out. The play centers around two lovers, Count Cladio and Hero, as well as Benedict (Count Claudio’s friend) and Beatrice (Hero’s cousin). Claudio and Hero fall in love and form a plan to trick Benedict and Beatrice into believing they love one another. In the end, Benedict and Beatrice do end up together, just as planned.
“Shakespeare still has an influence on pop culture because actors still perform his plays to this day. An example of this are the many versions of Romeo and Juliet,” Leah Schmid, freshman, said.
Although these two pieces of work are different in several ways, the play heavily influenced the movie’s plot. The movie also made a direct reference to the play itself when Bea and Ben are singing “Unwritten,” by Natasha Bedingfield, to each other on a baseball field, and the words “Much ado bout nothing” appear above the scoreboard. This has ultimately left fans to believe that “Anyone but you” is a pop culture remake of “Much ado bout nothing.”
“I believe Shakespeare’s writing has set up a blueprint for most movies and or writings in our day and age. I think lots of artists still look up to Shakespeare as an inspiration,” Everrett Johnson, senior, said.
This new adaptation of Shakespeare’s play-turned-movie will not fail to be the perfect film for romance lovers this valentine’s season.
