SHAKESPEARE
IN LOVE
A Filmfreak 8/10
Directed by John Madden (II)
Screenplay by Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard
Cast includes Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Judi Dench, Ben Affleck, Geoffrey
Rush
Basic plot outline: A young Shakespeare falls in love with Viola de Lesseps, a young woman of money and power. This clever intermerging of real life and script changes his play from "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daugher" in to the famous "Romeo and Juliet", as their relationship, like the famous couplet, is threatened in many ways.
Review: My enjoyment of this film is highly affected by the political bullshit that went on at the oscars. Don't get me wrong, this film is good. But its not even in the same class as Saving Private Ryan. And why Gwyneth Paltrow won the oscar over Cate Blanchett is a pure mystery to me.
But putting that aside, the film was very enjoyable, and Affleck certainly surprised me with his great performance.
The production design was great, a real feast for the eyes.
A strong cast, a sturdy script.
Ok I admit it I am still bitter. Miramax should go stuff their propaganda where the sun don't shine *g*. ( so much for me keeping these reviews on a strictly professional note heheh)
