SNMR 2.6: "Shakespeare in Love"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "Shakespeare in Love" (1998, R, 113 minutes) starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Judi Dench, Ben Affleck, Tom Wilkinson and Simon Callow. The film was directed by John Madden. The film won seven Oscars in 1999, including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress and was nominated for six more.

My ex and I first saw this film when it came out in the theater, and I went to see it a second time by myself. Since then, this has become one of my favorite films and I've seen it many times. Actually, one time after watching this film, I decided to re-read the actual play which was a great experience and gave me a new appreciation for it, since I'm not the biggest Shakespeare buff around.

From the DVD's dust case:

When Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes, Elizabeth) needs passionate inspiration to break a bad case of writer's block, a secret romance with the beautiful Lady Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow, Sliding Doors, A Perfect Murder) starts the words flowing like never before! There are just two things he'll have to learn about his new love: not only is she promised to marry someone else, she's successfully impersonating a man in order to play the lead in Will's latest production! A truly can't miss motion picture event with outstanding critical acclaim to match its impressive collection of major awards - everyone will love this funny behind-the-scenes look at the writing of the greatest love story ever told!

From Martin & Porter's DVD & Video Guide 2006, p. 1015:

This ingenious pastiche is an erotic and enormously witty blend of history and fabrication. The setting is London in the summer of 1593, where young playwright William Shakespeare has developed an acute case of writer's block which can be traced to his lack of captivating female companionship. Then the inconceivable happens: an impassioned actor reads for the role of Romeo and Shakespeare discovers that this talented thespian is actually Viola DeLesseps (Paltrow), a young woman of title and privelege unwilling to abide by the strictures of her era. Viola willingly throws herself into a double deception: tragedian in disguise by day and clandestine lover, with Will, by night. What fun!

This is a brilliant look at what might have inspired Shakespeare to pen the great play Romeo & Juliet. The writing is top notch and the cast is marvelous. The acting is brilliant and the acted scenes of Romeo & Juliet give the average Joe a taste of the greatness of this play and Shakespeare himself. The setting is very realistic looking, and the film's musical score is wonderful but not overbearing. This film upset favorite Saving Private Ryan for Best Picture honors at the 1999 Academy Awards. This film gets a perfect five out of five stars.