Shakespeare in Love Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)December 30th, 1998
In Love with “Shakespeare”
by Homer Yen
(c) 1998
Romeo, oh Romeo...wherefore art thou, Romeo? Oddly, he might have been shipwrecked on some deserted island and the butt of a hundred jokes unless the struggling but well-respected literary mind of William Shakespeare (Joeseph Fiennes) can somehow overcome a bout of writer’s block. But as it stands, nothing is igniting his creative flame for prose and his newest play is a half-baked comedy currently entitled “Romeo and Ethel - A Pirate’s Daughter.” Alas, what’s a playwright to do?
“Shakespeare in Love” is an immensely satisfying story that follows the distraught Bard through his period of uncertainty, discovery and glory. His spark is provided by the lovely Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), a charming and radiant woman who has a passion for plays and a fondness for works previously written by Shakespeare. There love for one another is intense, passionate, and romantic in every sense of the word. Her presence and strength allows him to begin retooling his comedy into what will eventually become “Romeo and Juliet.” But his goal of creating his greatest work to date is fraught with setbacks. Competition wants to derail his troupe of actors; Viola has already been pre-arranged to marry a jealous suitor; and other factors develop that threatens Shakespeare’s work. But through it all, he tries to remain focused on his task at hand. But creating timeless work requires some help. Rich supporting performances come from the likes of Judi Dench as the sardonic Queen Elizabeth; Geoffrey Rush as the investor who prays that the play will make money; and Ben Affleck as a glory-seeking actor that is relegated to only a small role. Each added tremendously to the wit and dimension of this film.
I remember when I learned about Shakespeare in middle school, and it was like learning a second language. To this date the meaning of his words still alludes me. You can expect to find much of that Elizabethan tongue present here in this movie, but the dialogue is so rich and vivid that you can not help but awe at how romantic that period must have been. Paltrow and Fiennes are absolutely radiant and have terrific chemistry together in their Oscar-calibrer performances. The story is marvelously contructed and strikes a rewarding balance of pathos and romance as it presents a terrific story of love that crosses the barriers of wealth, class and titles. Doses of great comedy trickle through the story, but the romance aspect and the intrigue that accompanies it is satisfyingly unexpected and undeniably sweet. After I walked out of the theatre, I really wished that I had payed closer attention to my Shakespearean lessons. You won’t find many films that are better than this one this year.
Grade: A
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