Much Ado About Dying (2024)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

Filmmaker Simon Chambers has been tasked with looking after his Uncle David Newlyn Gale, an eccentric man with a great love for Shakespeare. Much Ado About Dying follows Simon as he recounts David’s life as he nears death. Through abrasive clutter, faulty space heaters, and the insanity of David, Simon may just learn a few lessons about life along the way. 

It seems apparent what Simon hopes to accomplish throughout the course of Much Ado About Dying. He hopes to cause a visceral reaction in each and every one of his viewers, to make them feel something that they are incapable of shaking. He most certainly achieves his goal, knowing exactly what to say and do in order to get his viewers invested not just in Uncle David, but Much Ado About Dying as a whole. The shock value of the film does just that. The burn marks on the walls of David’s home, the clutter that seems to grow exponentially, and the insanity of much of what comes out of David’s mouth all play together to create something extraordinary. I felt stressed watching this film, watching what I could only assume was the near end for David–and I simply sat in my basement, watching on my television. Imagine living this! That’s what Simon accomplishes in Much Ado About Dying–he allows viewers to become engulfed in Uncle David’s world, claustrophobic by the world that was closing in around our main character. This is a true story, a documentary of David’s life–but he feels larger than life–a character in his own story. 

How are we invited into Uncle David’s world, though? How does Simon ensure that viewers feel connected to his uncle and his story? Much of this story comes to life through the visuals, as Simon allows viewers to see all that he encounters with his uncle throughout the course of filming–but Simon also relies heavily on his own narration. Simon guides Much Ado About Dying using his brilliant voice and his uncanny ability to tell a story. His deep, powerful voice carries the film, playing alongside Uncle David–and together they bring to life a story that I’m not sure that the world knew they needed. 

Much Ado About Dying is a prime example of not judging a book by its cover. This saying doesn’t refer to the film itself, but rather to Uncle David. He’s a cluttered, unkempt mess–and the initial response from viewers may be something unkind (and that makes sense). However, as the film progresses we are able to peer into his life in new ways, see different sides of him, and, through much of the insanity, know that Uncle David is pure at heart. He’s genuine, even if it’s not always easy to see that. Simon does a beautiful job of allowing his uncle to shine, every piece of him, not just what viewers might find appealing. It’s incredibly compelling that Much Ado About Dying is so honest in regard to Uncle David–and through Simon’s work the truth is made known. 

Even with everything happening throughout the course of Much Ado About Dying, Uncle David is the key to success here; without him there is no story, there is no film, and Simon remains in Delhi making films for the locals. There’s no shame in that; that’s certainly not what I mean–but this is a story truly worth telling, one that has the potential to be far reaching. Much Ado About Dying rests firmly on the shoulders of Uncle David, and as he takes his final breaths the film fades with him. Uncle David’s final months are captured beautifully, and I’m happy to have had the opportunity to spend time with him through this film. 

Written & Directed by Simon Chambers. 

Starring David Newlyn Gale, Simon Chambers, etc. 

8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING