Gwyneth Paltrow Movie:

Editorial Review:
One of the most endearing and intelligent romantic comedies of the '90s, the Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love is filled with such good will, sunny romance, snappy one-liners, and devilish cleverness that it's absolutely irresistible. With tongue placed firmly in cheek, at its outset the film tracks young Will Shakespeare's overwrought battle with writer's block and the efforts of theater owner Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush, in rare form) to stage Will's latest comedy, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter. Jokey comedy, though, soon takes a backseat to ravishing romance when the beautiful Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) disguises herself as a young man to wangle herself an audition in the all-male cast, and wins both the part of Romeo and, after much misunderstanding, the playwright's heart. Soon enough, Will's pirate comedy becomes the beautiful, tragic Romeo and Juliet, reflecting the agony and ecstasy of Will and Viola's romance--he's married and she's set to marry the slimy Lord Wessex (Colin Firth) in the near future.

The way that Oscar-winning screenwriters Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard enfold their story within the parameters of Romeo and Juliet (and even Twelfth Night) is nothing short of brilliant--it would take a Shakespearean scholar to dissect the innumerable parallels, oft-quoted lines, plot developments, and thematic borrowings. And most amazingly, Norman and Stoppard haven't forgotten to entertain their audience in addition to riding a Shakespearean roller coaster, with director John Madden (Mrs. Brown) reigning in his huge ensemble with rollicking energy. Along the way there are small gems to be found, including Judi Dench's eight-minute, Oscar-winning turn as a truly regal Queen Elizabeth, but the key element of Shakespeare in Love's success rests on the milky-white shoulders of its two stars. Fiennes, inexplicably overlooked at Oscar time, is a dashing, heartfelt Will, and as for Best Actress winner Paltrow, well, nothing she'd done before could have prepared viewers for how amazing she is here. Breathtakingly beautiful, fiercely intelligent, strong-willed, and lovestruck--it's a performance worthy of Shakespeare in more ways than one. By the film's end, you'll be thoroughly won over--and brushing up your Shakespeare with newfound ardor. --Mark Englehart

Shakespeare in Love [Region 2] Reviews:
Wonderful film
2009-10-03 - Great script, great cast, great acting, and Gwyneth Paltrow too, what's not to like? The sets are realistic, (especially the Globe) and the idea that all female leads were played by males throws out any number of interesting layers of interpretation. As someone involved in the arts, I live with the idea that art can transform society. My only question: what happened to Voldemort's brother?

So good I had to buy it!
2009-08-19 - After watching this movie on regular tv with all the cuts, I realized it was one movie I would watch over and over - uncut! Great lines, great twist on Will Shakespeare, Judy Dench slays with 10 mins of screen time. Treat yourself to it!

Wife loves it
2009-06-23 - Its a chick flick - your wife will love it but if your a guy ? might be a little to mushy for ya lol

Good, but not as great as the awards reflect
2009-05-18 - Wasn't as good as remembered it to be; it won seven (!) Oscars including Best Picture, but in retrospect I think that award should easily have gone to 'Saving Private Ryan'. This it still very likeable though.

Beautiful movie
2009-03-30 - I purchased this film for a Shakespeare class. It is a wonderful and funny love story. Excellent to view.