A film starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes (Miramax, 1998).

Shakespeare writes Romeo & Juliet while having an affair with an actress.

B (Good).

It's corny and heavy-handedly manipulative. But somehow, I don't know how or why, it won me over by the end.

(Jan. 2023) ( )

The production is lavishly done with wonderful settings and costumes, the whole being a very enjoyable film which well deserved its many awards. Joseph Fiennes is very believable as the young, amorous and frustrated Will Shakespeare, attempting to write what will eventually be 'Romeo and Juliet'.

The fictional story blends seamlessly with the historical setting and some real characters; we particularly loved Dame Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth I.

We watched one of the extras too, with some of the cast and writers talking about the way the film was made - very interesting.

Recommended.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2024/03/shakespeare-in-love-joseph-fiennes.h... ( )

Pure literate delight and playmaking education throughout. Filmmaking doe not get any better than this, and it does not have to. ( )

Historical Fiction

2085