Review of Shakespeare in Love (1998) by Doctor S — 10 Jul 2009

Another underwhelming Best Picture, cementing the 1995-2000 period as the weakest string of winners in Academy history. Paltrow is no more than adequate but Fiennes exhibits such scant poetic soul with his single repeated pained expression that I didn't believe he could possibly inhabit the spirit of The Bard.

I enjoyed some of the amusing moments that poked fun at the gravely stoic tone of many period pieces, but much of the confused-identity and crossdressing antics were as believable as an episode of 'Three's Company.' I didn't realize I would spend a third of the film watching passages of 'Romeo & Juliet' re-enacted either, a play I've both read and seen already. If you want to see a film regarding a fictionalized account of the creation of a famous work of art with star-crossed romance and sumptuous period costumes featuring Colin Firth and Tom Wilkinson, try 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' instead.