Shakespeare in Love was a fantastic film in all departments. You cannot go wrong with the splendid locations and the wondrous costumes. The screenplay was superlative, very witty and moving, and one of the few screenplays out there that completely blew me away. The direction from John Madden was spot on, and I believe it is the same John Madden who directed some of the greatest Inspector Morse episodes, and Inspector Morse in my opinion is the best British detective drama out there. And what a talented cast, with Joseph Fiennes utterly charming and handsome as William Shakespeare, and Gwyneth Paltrow in possibly her best performance was by every means captivating as Lady Viola. Geoffrey Rush, who actually looks like the Barbossa character he created in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, was hilarious, and Colin Firth makes Lord Wessex intentionally insufferable. Simon Callow, Martin Clunes and Ben Affleck are solid in their roles, not to mention the wonderful performance of Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth I. Her end monologue was beautifully written and Dench's interpretation was flawless. I am 17, and I do hope I am not the only person who doesn't think this movie is overrated- I thought it was a brilliant film, that wholly deserved the accolades it received. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Shakespeare in Love
1998
Action / Comedy / Drama / History / Romance
Shakespeare in Love
1998
Action / Comedy / Drama / History / Romance
Plot summary
William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is a known but struggling poet, playwright, and actor, who not only has sold his next play to both Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush) and Richard Burbage (Martin Clunes),but now faces a far more difficult problem: he is bereft of ideas and has yet to begin writing. He is in search of his muse, the woman who will inspire him but all attempts fail him until he meets the beautiful Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow). She loves the theatre and would like nothing more than to take to the stage, but is forbidden from doing so as only men can be actors. She is also a great admirer of Shakespeare's works. Dressing as a man, and going by the name of "Thomas Kent", she auditions and is ideal for a part in his next play. Shakespeare soon sees through her disguise and they begin a love affair, one they know cannot end happily for them as he is already married and she has been promised to the dour Lord Wessex (Colin Firth). As the company rehearses his new play, William and Viola's love is transferred to the written page leading to the masterpiece that is Romeo and Juliet.
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Brilliant! Absolute perfection!
Nothing worked
This was awful and awfully tedious. The proper luvvie type of theatre experience. Taking the most famous English writer and turning his life story into a simple romantic comedy. As for Paltrow's casting, I have no idea what they were thinking. Nothing worked here for me.
Charming and cute
Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is a struggling playwright. He's sold his next play to both Philip Henslow (Geoffrey Rush) and Richard Burbidge. It's called 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter'. Only he can't get started. Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) comes from a wealthy family and wants poetry in her life. Lord Wessex (Colin Firth) is interested but he doesn't have the poetry. She pretends to be a man to audition for Will's play. However Will sees through her disguise and they begin a love affair.
I love all the Shakespearian phrases that are thrown at Will from everybody. It has a cute charm to it. It's probably the best original Shakespearian play not written by him. I also love William Shakespeare as a struggling artist. It's not a high minded academic thing although a good knowledge of some of the famous lines help to appreciate this movie.