Review of Shakespeare in Love (1998) by Ben T — 22 May 2014

I was skeptical at first, but this was certainly a clever creative envisioning of Shakespeare's most recognizable work in creation and piloting. The script itself was strong and melded Shakespearean motif throughout to created an excellent cohesion between the storylines.

My only regret is that the actors did not always live up to the script. Fiennes and Paltrow were up to the task of Shakespearean melodrama, but could not find a way out of it for their off-stage love.

This movie truly belonged to the supporting cast. Firth played an exquisite fool and foil of art and love, while Rush carried his role as the skeptic well. Unfortunately, neither of their characters carried lines to carry the film for their leads.

From my perspective, only Dame Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth I fit perfectly in her piece, not just as the majesty but as the sharp-tongued adjudicator guiding us to in the same art and love that Firth saw fit to foil.

Although I wish their could have been more of her, Dench had the most balanced, pointed, and indeed necessary role. This was a strong cast, but the strength and Shakespearean complexity of the script overwhelmed the leads which made for, at times, a sheer drudgery of having to watch them plod through their courtship.