Review of Shakespeare in Love (1998) by David A — 10 May 2010

(from The Watermark, 01/07/99).

A glorious film which speculates how William Shakespeare may have been inspired to write Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare (Fiennes) is a struggling young actor and playwright, who observes life and speaks as eloquently as he writes. He is faced with a deadline to complete his next comedy "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter", but he is suffering from writer's block and hasn't even started it yet. Then he and a young noble woman (Paltrow) fall in love and his passion is ignited, even though they are divided by class and she is betrothed to an arrogant Lord (Firth). Now with Paltrow's impossible love as Shakespeare's muse, the title and plot of his play are altered significantly, and literary history is changed forever.

The beautiful Fiennes is an intense yet appealing Shakespeare, but it is the radiant Paltrow who deserves Oscar recognition for her exceptional work. They are adorned by some excellent supporting performances from familiar faces Geoffrey Rush, Ben Affleck, Tom Wilkinson, and the especially fabulous Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth I. The eloquently poetic screenplay (worthy of the Best Original Screenplay Oscar) was penned by Marc Norman (Mrs. Brown) and Tom Stoppard (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead). It is deliciously peppered with situations and dialogue that the audience knows will be used in Shakespearean works to follow (i.e. the lovers' first conversation takes place from a balcony, Paltrow disguises herself as boy to be able to act on stage). And better still, the ending even sets up his next two works, The Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing. The beauty of the film is its message that both love and art can be short-lived in the making, but have the potential to live on forever. Let's hope this film does so, too. QUEER QUOTIENT: **SPOILER ALERT** I know, I know. You're thinking, "But Shakespeare was gay." Well, he doesn't end up with Paltrow in the end. Perhaps all of the passionate embraces he has with her while she is dressed as a boy inspire him to future involvements with men. Also, look for sister Rupert Everett in the small role as Shakespeare's friendly adversary Christopher Marlowe.