Rating: 
Summary: Effervescent and Enchanting
Review: Only Tom Stoppard is capable of creating this degree of intoxication with dialogue that, although not Shakespeare's, rings with the music of his mighty iambic pentameter line. And the players speak the speech as he and his colleague pronounce it to them, trippingly off the tongue. This film seems to bubble, as if it were filmed through a lens of champagne. Although it has its moments of sorrow, embarrassment, ribaldry, and cynicism -- all of which are quite in character -- most of it is pure, golden joy, presided over by an ironic Judi Dench at the height of her -- and Her Majesty's -- power. Paltrow and Fiennes are extraordinary as the two lovers, as much in love with words and the theatre as with their exceedingly attractive selves. John Madden is hilarious. And the idiot faith that "it's a mystery" but that the show not only must go on but somehow does, transmits itself to everyone that it touches. This is an adult comedy in all senses: it demands careful listening and joyous laughter -- and gives you more than you give it.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Romance
Review: This was a beautiful romance. Gweneth and Joseph were just perfect together. I don't think it could've been done with any other actord. They had a chemistry that was just right for this movie. Viola and Will definitely rank in the top 10 couples in movie history. They were just wonderful and you can easily get caught up in their story and their passion. What they had for each other is something only found on screen and that is what captures audiences everywhere. If you haven't seen this movie, you must. Even if you don't know anything about Shakespeare, the romance itself will keep you in the seat till the end.
Rating: 
Summary: An insult to and a corruption of Shakespeare...
Review: I was disgusted at the movie. It was insulting to Shakespeare and utterly meaningless and stupid. Why portray Shakespeare in such a way? Can we not just respect and learn from him? What is the reason for a revolting love story using Shakespeare's honorable name? Give me a break... this society can do better. (I hope!)
Rating:
Summary: Two Star-Crossed Lovers
Review: This film truly deserves the accolades it has won. A charming and zestful comedy-drama that reaches out to all audiences, "Shakespeare in Love" offers something to everyone: love, action, comedy, even suspense. Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) ever craft his play "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter" into something more suitable? Will Viola de Lesseps (Gweneth Paltrow) get away with playing a woman on stage in an era in which women did not play women on stage? Will the Earl of Wessex catch on to the romance budding between the two? Watch out for the sophisicated word play in this film, the genuine romance, the sly way Elizabethan times mirror our own (Shakespeare visits a soothsayer who is about 90% psychiatrist), and the great supporting cast that includes Ben Affleck and Rupert Everett. "Shakespeare in Love" is one of those rare films that manages to be captivating, fun, intelligent and fast-paced all at once.
Rating:
Summary: Good Glimpse of Early Genius
Review: This is a great introduction to the world of William Shakespeare, and you will enjoy the film more if you are familiar with not only the general era, but theatre in general (especially actors!). Depicting one of theatre's great mysteries -- Shakespeare's younger days -- this film weaves a great story of a passionate young man and the possible inspiration for the females in "Romeo and Juliet" and "Twelfth Night": Viola, a noblewoman forced into an arranged marriage. Viola wants to act, something forbidden on the English stage in this era for women. The film intertwines the love story of Viola and Shakespeare with the development of "Romeo and Juliet", while throwing in many theatre jokes and people, both comic and tragic. Judi Dench is wonderful in her small role as Elizabeth I. I loved the ending of the film, where although everything does not end perfectly, at least it's far from tragic.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking Film!
Review: "Shakespeare In Love" is an absolutly beautiful and endearing movie. I completely love it. There have been few movies in the past few years that I have loved, as much as this one. Gwenyth Paltrow is fabulous in this movie. (certainly deserving of the Oscar) and Josehp Finnes is mesmerizing. His performance is much overlooked due to Paltrow's reputation. She is the star of this movie, but his wonderful talent is something everyone should take notice of. The remanding cast is wonderful, with many surprising and very WELL-KNOWN actors, showing up. (Ben Affleck, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Dame Judy Dench, and others) rounding out a fabulous movie. By the end, you are completely in love with this movie and the characters in it. I just hope that William Shakespear was as enjoyable a man as Joseph played him. Wonderful Movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Why the Oscar?
Review: As I see this movie again, the only emotions I can describe feeling are disgust and disbelief at the Academy for giving the Best Picture Award to this movie instead of Saving Private Ryan. Yes, this movie was clever, fun, entertainment and gave a happy afterglow post-viewing. However, in no way did it address anything of such emotional and philosophical depth as Saving Private Ryan. The only reasons this movie won Best Picture was with clever marketing and lobbying and the fact that it was the anti-Saving Private Ryan, making no demands of the viewer to examine deeper, darker, and more complex issues.
Rating:
Summary: A classic for future generations
Review: When I first watched this film I was slightly disappointed. It just didn't seem what it had been cracked up to be. All the supposedly clever allusions were soo obvious and usually repeated several times (Marlowe, Webster! ). And of course Ms Paltrow isn't a Renaissance woman, good as she may be as a spoiled upper class American. After watching it several times (with my pupils at school, I must admit) I have come to recognize that this film is a work of genius - or almost. For a start, it effortlessly manages to contain all the typical elements of a Shakespeare play: crossdressing, swordfights, bawdiness, double-entendre, suspense, wordplay etc.etc. Even a dog and a shipwreck, for that matter. All those elemets are composed in an almost musical way which stands the test of watching it again and again. So it's well worth buying it - you'll want to watch it more than once! Still, my qualms about Ms Paltrow persist. In contrast to the rest of the brilliant cast she seems to be incapable of irony. Well, I guess that's what you get for picking a Yank actress for the job...
Rating:
Summary: The untold story of Shakespeare
Review: It seems to be almost blasphemy to make fictionalized accounts of the greatest writer in the history of the world, but this film is an exciting view into the life of what may have possibly been William Shakespeare's life. Lady Viola is based on a true life mistress that Shakespeare had. Many of the characters are historically accurate. But the story is wonderfully beautiful and a breath of fresh air from some of the movies made today. It is fitting and right that this movie won as many academy awards as it did.
Rating:
Summary: Made for Women, But Men Will Love It Too
Review: When this movie came out, I was convinced I would hate it. How could a chick flick about Shakespeare falling in love with Gwyneth be any good? When my male co-workers told me it was great, I passed it off as the influence of their wives, who I was convinced were now doing the thinking for them. Then, my now girlfriend dragged me to it (the first movie we saw together). I couldn't believe my eyes. Unfolding before me was a funny, touching (yeah, guys can like touching movies, too), well-acted, well-writen, wonderfully entertaining movie. Thanks to my brilliant girlfriend, I got to see a great movie. I agree with the previous reviewer who said Shakespeare purists should give this film a break. This is not Shakespeare. It is fiction. That said, if Shakespeare were to magically come to life, I bet he would love this flick. It has all the elements he employed. Humor, romance, swashbuckling action and tragedy. Did it deserve the Oscar over Private Ryan? I'll leave that argument to others, and just say that this movie deserved all the accolades it received and it is a shame that they both couldn't win. I won't critique all the players, other than to say there is not a weak performance among them. The cast does a fantastic job of bring this wonderful Tom Stoppard story to life. (If you like this movie, give one of Stoppard's other classics "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" a watch, too.) This is a very entertaining movie and has something for everybody to enjoy. It was so good, I bought a copy on DVD. So, if you are a guy, and haven't seen this movie because it is a chick flick, take a chance and grab a copy of this on DVD. You won't be sorry. I not only got to see a great movie, but found a great girl as a bonus. Talk about a win/win.
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