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Shakespeare In Love

1998 DVD Certificate 15.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 27,123 members

The reign of Elizabeth I finds Will Shakespeare, a writer, broke and envious of a rival. Then, he meets with a woman who wants to be an actor and who disguises herself as a man... Read more

Starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Rupert Everett
Director John Madden
Run time 119 mins
Genres Comedy, Romance

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  • Critics' reviews (3) of Shakespeare In Love

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  • 5 stars out of 5

    Taking the writing process behind Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet as its inspiration, John Madden's follow-up to Mrs Brown combines contemporary humour with a convincing 16th-century setting. Young Will (Joseph Fiennes) falls for the soon-to-be-married Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) and casts her, disguised as a boy, as his Romeo. As their love affair unfolds, so does the play in a film that is passionate, intelligent and hysterically funny in turns. Fiennes and Paltrow are supported by an outstanding cast that includes Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson and Colin Firth, while Judi Dench delivers an Oscar-winning portrayal of Elizabeth I, making fine use of Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard's Oscar-winning script.

    • Radio Times
  • 3 stars out of 4

    If movies be the food of love, then there's an excess of it in this delightful romantic comedy, a clever romp that makes witty use of theatrical conventions and Shakespeare's own works; it is not only in love with love, but with the power of theatre.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of Shakespeare In Love

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  • 9 out of 11 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    Why?

    Infuriating romantic comedy in which every moment is drowned in a sea of schmaltz, particularly those between the lovers; the script is fairly good, witty even, but is ruined by honey-coated direction and poor performances.

    Why this arrogant, soppy sludge won so many Oscars remains beyond comprehension; it’s just a run-of-the-mill, saccharine rom-com. Don’t be drawn in by the word ‘Shakespeare’ in its title; it doesn’t make it any cleverer.

      • ATfilmcritic from London
  • Most recent members' review of Shakespeare In Love

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  • 2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    Courtly etiquette gone awry

    I would like to have been charitable about this film considering the high quality of the cast - but the film did not sit right with me the whole way through. I particularly disliked Gwyneth Paltrow in her role and felt she had been planted there just to appease the Hollywood moguls - she had little understanding of the role. Shame.

      • amandathepanda from West of Scotland
  • News and features

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    Australia

    Paltrow and Martin to spend Valentine's Day apart

    • 14 Feb 2009

    Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow is planning a quiet Valentine's Day this weekend (14Feb09) - because she has no idea where her rocker husband Chris Martin is touring. The Shakespeare In Love star has resigned herself to spending the night in with her two children, on the day traditionally celebrated by lovers, as Coldplay frontman Martin is halfway around the world. She tells the New York Daily News, "It won't be that exciting. My husband will be on tour and I don't even know where he is -... Read more

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Rating breakdown

27,123 Member ratings
  • 100
2,610
  • 90
2,431
  • 80
5,035
  • 70
4,930
  • 60
4,941
  • 50
2,852
  • 40
1,787
  • 30
1,136
  • 20
910
  • 10
491

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