Review of Shakespeare in Love (1998) by Jc E — 22 Jun 2010

This was one of those films that was quasi-charming, and almost had a believable streak to it -- and then Ben Affleck (Jersey Girl) showed up. If you've ever seen the "Family Guy" episode "Tales of a Third Grade Nothing", then Affleck is to this picture what Andy Dick is to "pLace" -- it loses all credibility.

Seriously, I almost got over the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man 2) was faking a British accent and looked incredibly like a man -- then Affleck showed up. I could have gotten past the cheesy dialogue, the wanton plot, and the creepy version of Queen Elizabeth, played by Judi Dench (Nine).

I just couldn't get over the fact that Affleck was cast in this movie. What a total detriment to a film that was barely hanging on for dear life. It was pretty boring. Even the humorous parts with Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End), Tom Wilkinson (Duplicity), and Imelda Staunton (Sense and Sensibility) fell by the wayside to this pompous venture that should not have been showered with awards.

And let's face it; Paltrow only won an Academy Award for this film because she showed her...assets. And Joseph Fiennes (Running with Scissors) as the titular character was just annoying. The dramedy angle failed, and the movie never achieved a level above mediocrity.

The fact that Paltrow beat out Cate Blanchett for 'Elizabeth' mingled with the fact that this film beat out both 'Elizabeth' and 'Saving Private Ryan' for Best Picture shows you where the priorities of the Academy lie.

It's not a complete tragedy, but it's not one worthy of the acclaim it received.