Directed by:
John MaddenCinematography:
Richard GreatrexComposer:
Stephen WarbeckCast:
Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, Judi Dench, Simon Callow, Jim Carter, Martin Clunes, Antony Sher, Imelda Staunton (more)VOD (5)
Plots(1)
Young Will Shakespeare is the up and coming playwright of the time, but has been disastrously struck by the bane of the writer's life - writer's block. His comedy "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter" isn't going anywhere and the playhouse is under threat of closure. What Will needs is a muse, and she appears in the form of the beautiful and bethrothed Lady Viola. The path of true love does not run smooth for Will, but the joys and tragedy of his own life find their way onto the page in a moving, witty and spellbinding tale. (Miramax Films)
(more)Reviews (8)
An unforgettable film that is not so much a comedy as a melancholic probe into the 16th century where literary history was written. Charming performances and a laid-back atmosphere.
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A very nice movie, and romantic comedies are not my cup of tea. The brilliant script, the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow and the portrayal of the old English theatre make me give it at least 4 stars.
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A perfect comedy that is sure to entertain even after several viewings. Gwyneth Paltrow and Geoffrey Rush are great, but above all the film doesn't pretend to be anything "big". It's just terribly enjoyable.
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An excellent comedy, the quality of which was mainly due to the excellent script by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman, who cleverly work with ambiguity in the life of the greatest playwright of all time. If you know a little about the background of Shakespeare's life (at least enough), you will enjoy some of the jokes and gags a lot more, and if you also know the principles of Elizabethan theatre, this is doubly true. However, if you are a starter in this field, you still have the opportunity to enjoy a nice love story that reached out to Romeo and Juliet for its inspiration and benefits from the power of this play in the final scenes. Had it not been for this, the ending might have felt terribly sugary, but in William’s days the so-called "Hollywood pathos" was fortunately unknown. It is also worth mentioning the acting performances of Paltrow and Fiennes, which are convincing in both the "theatre" and in the "film itself". And then, surprisingly, Ben Affleck's Ned Alleyn, whose performance as Mercutio (basically this character also moves into the character of Ned himself) is, in a word, famous. A pleasant spectacle with an informative touch.
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Some reviews a very difficult to do. How can I rate a movie that I sat down to watch three times and managed to fall asleep all three times? Most likely with a Boo! rating, but this critically acclaimed romantic comedy certainly doesn't deserve that. As an apology to the filmmakers and to myself, I must add that I used the film as a backdrop for a romantic evening, and because I have a great partner, the esteemed screenwriter and director can try their best... However, this also means that Madden's film is not sufficiently attractive for me to attempt to watch it again. It lacked the appropriate momentum and the Shakespearean language was somewhat bothersome. Overall impression: 45%.
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It took me a long time to come to terms with this view of Elizabethan theater, but so be it. The ethereal Gwyneth Paltrow is really lovely here, and one really does at least get some idea that there were other theaters than the Globe and other playwrights than Wilda. And maybe I'll finally get around to reading "Twelfth Night, or What You Will."
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If I want to praise this film (and I do), I have to start with the actors. The cast is so stellar and well-chosen that the director had it very easy in the end. Fiennes is excellent and does not stand in the shade of his brother, Rush is brilliant as always, Gwyneth Paltrow is beautiful and natural, and Judi Dench is amazing, and I could go on like this for a long time. But praise must also be given to Madden's direction, which lets the story flow beautifully, perfectly blurring the distinction between theatre and film. And then there's the excellent script refreshed with pleasant humour and beautiful dialogues, romantic atmosphere, costumes and typical English charm. If I were by nature a fan of Shakespearean literature and theatre, this film would have scored much higher than a "measly" 85%.
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I have finally seen the much lauded and seven(!) Academy Award-winning Shakespeare in Love and I have to say that I understand the enthusiasm and reviews the film has received. Even if it never becomes a favourite of mine, this film still has a lot going for it. The cast is perfect, especially Judi Dench (I can understand Oscar for the few scenes she was in), Geoffrey Rush and Gwyneth Paltrow ... but the rest of the were good as well. Then, of course, there's the story itself, blending fact with fiction, resulting in a film that's fun to watch; there's romance, tragedy and humour, just like Shakespeare himself. In short, a film that is one big (theatrical) drama, in which comedy and tragedy alternate - it doesn't take place on stage all the time, but the rest is spot on.
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