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Rating: 4.5 out of 5
William Shakespeare, the famous playwright who is credited for making many of the world’s most know plays. Many of us had to read a Shakespeare play during high school. What is your all-time favorite Shakespeare play? Is it Macbeth, and how he pretty much killed his king to be king? How about Romeo and Juliet, where you long for passion after seeing someone for the very first time? How about Julius Caesar, the famous Roman Emperor before the Ides of March. There are so many plays to choose from this legendary playwright.
Shakespeare in Love, revolves around the famous playwright. Shakespeare (Fiennes) is a widely known poet, playwright, and actor but is currently struggling writing his next play. Shakespeare is plagued by the dreaded writer’s block and has lost his inspiration. A significant problem arises as Shakespeare has sold his next play to both Philip Henslowe (Rush) and Richard Burbage (Clunes) but hasn’t written a single word. In search of his muse that will inspire him, he meets the beautiful Viola De Lesseps (Paltrow). Viola loves the theatre and wants to one day perform in front of a crowd on stage but is forbidden because the law states that only men can be actors. Pretty sexist right there. Viola decided to dress as a man by the name of Thomas Kent and audition for a part in Shakespeare’s next play. Shakespeare soon sees through her disguise, and soon they begin a love affair. One minor issue with their love affair. Shakespeare is already married, and Viola is promised to Lord Wessex (Firth). As Shakespeare and Viola’s love grows, it gives Shakespeare the inspiration he needs. He begins to write his next play named Romeo and Juliet, or as its original title was “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter.”
I must say that Director John Madden outdid himself with this film. Take it from someone who is not a fan of plays and Shakespeare, when I say it is quite an enjoyable film. When I saw the name Shakespeare in Love, I immediately went BLAH! If I really wanted to romance, I would stick to Romeo and Juliet. At least that play has both violence and romance. Yet, I picked it out because of the awards it won along with it was COMPLETELY different from what I usually watch. Going way out on the limb for this film. What I found was an outstanding film. A film that will make you laugh and actually wonder how the famous playwright wrote Romeo and Juliet.
The story is quite good as Shakespeare has lost his gift and can’t seem to write ANYTHING. He goes to a therapist to help write his next play. Take it from me as a person who has had EXTREME writer’s block. It is a freakin’ pain in the a**. One minute, you know what you want to write, and the next, it’s gone. Sometimes it can take days or months before you find the right words. What this film gets right is that sometimes you need a little spark to get it. Shakespeare finds his spark in Viola and the Love they build. Sometimes the spark can be looking at something so small or unknown to you, and then an explosion happens in your brain. With that spark comes some “minor” complications in the form of one being married and the other set to be married. Stuff you see on Jerry Springer.
Another element of the story that is amazing how it leads to Romeo and Juliet, along with another of Shakespeare’s plays. It seems like every person cast in the play has an opinion. The person playing Mercutio can’t believe his is going to die. Everyone thinks it’s a comedy with pirates and asks where the pirates are at. As the story and play progresses, you see everything come together, point by point. How the words that are in the actual play come together act by act. All this is seen with each passing moment that Shakespeare and Viola have for each other. The love they share is the catalyst for a great play. Now, after all the drama and the final show, the queen asks for a comedy on the Twelfth Night. Perfect Shakespeare tie in right there.
I was more surprised at the comedic atmosphere of this movie. There seems to be a perfect blend of romance, comedy, and a sense of seriousness. The whole making the play is totally for comedic relief, and it is fun to watch. Then the romance between the two characters is a nice touch followed by the seriousness because we know their Love might not last.
This movie wouldn’t be possible without the very strong leads of Paltrow and Fiennes. Paltrow plays her role so sweetly and innocently even though she is in bed with another man. Her love for acting is extreme, and she shows it with her smile and the delight on her face. Fiennes almost seems like a perfect Shakespeare. Actually, I could see Shakespeare running around, trying to figure out what to write, and seeing a therapist. Fiennes gives Shakespeare some humanity, charm, and a sense of an ordinary person.
Judi Dench is excellent in this film. When she is on screen, and she is only on screen for a little bit. She is an absolute BOSS, or shall I say, QUEEN! Not only does she look like a queen, but she acts like it. Dench was so short with people and had some major passive-aggressive nature to her character. She played the queen as someone who didn’t have time for any drama or BS. I think that is the way a queen should act.
Shakespeare in Love was a pleasant surprise to watch. An enjoyable movie with a very entertaining cast. Even if you don’t like Shakespeare, you can really find something to like about this film. As Shakespeare wrote from Romeo and Juliet: “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet.”
