Shakespeare in Love

"Extraordinary"

Shakespeare in Love Review


Easily the best comedy of the year - and the best film of the year to star Joseph Fiennes and feature Queen Elizabeth as a major character - Shakespeare in Love gets a hands-down recommendation for all filmgoers.

The clever premise follows one William Shakespeare (Fiennes), stuck with writer's block while trying to pen "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter" and unable to get his own love life going to boot.

Enter Viola (Paltrow), an upper-class woman with aspirations of acting in the men-only theatre who sneaks in (in drag) to audition for the part of Romeo. But not only is Viola a woman, she's betrothed to the Duke of Wessex and is set to sail for the New World in a matter of weeks. It's only natural that young Will falls for the lady.

Wacky hijinks ensue, but Shakespeare never falls into the syrupy love story trap, and the insight into what-might-have-been is a real treat for fans of the bard. Fiennes does excellent work here, as does Paltrow, who always seems to act better when affecting a British accent.

The six Golden Globe nominations are right on target - definitely check Shakespeare out at an art house near you.

Willy gets jiggy wit' it.



Shakespeare in Love

Facts and Figures

Run time: 123 mins

In Theaters: Friday 8th January 1999

Box Office Worldwide: $289.3M

Budget: $25M

Distributed by: Miramax

Production compaines: Universal Pictures, Miramax Films, Bedford Falls Productions

Reviews

Contactmusic.com: 4.5 / 5

Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Fresh: 112 Rotten: 10

IMDB: 7.2 / 10

Cast & Crew

Director:

Starring: as Will Shakespeare, as Viola De Lesseps, as Philip Henslowe, as Hugh Fennyman, as Queen Elizabeth, as Nurse, as Lord Wessex, as Ned Alleyn, as Tilney, Steven Beard as Makepeace, as Ralph Bashford, as Christopher Marlowe, as Richard Burbage, Tim McMullan as Frees, as John Webster

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