Shakespeare in Love (1998) 3 1/2 stars out of 4
A young playwright is under pressure to finish his latest work. The producer is breathing down his neck because the producer's creditors are breathing down his.
But, alas, the young playwright's Muse has deserted him. He is without inspiration and is suffering from writer's block.
What's a young playwright to do. Well, if his name is Will Shakespeare, he crashes a party to meet a beautiful young woman who, lo and behold, is a patron of the theater and a fan of the playwright's.
Thus, with newfound confidence our playwright sets out to compose his latest comedy "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter."
But, soft, for as quickly as you can say iambic pentameter, our love-struck Will is no longer writing a comedy. Ever so slowly, it is being transformed into a classic love story of the ages. "Romeo and Ethel ... " has been transformed by love into "Romeo and Juliet."
Thus is the conceit of Shakespeare in Love, a boisterous, bawdy and most appealing romantic comedy, written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard.
Shakespeare in Love is a luminous, entertaining tale. And, yes, having some rudimentary knowledge of the Bard's work will heighten your enjoyment of the movie, but even if you've never read a line from any of his plays or sonnets, you still can appreciate the humor and theatricality of this wonderful outing.
Taking center stage in this enjoyable conceit is Gwyneth Paltrow as Lady Viola, the young woman who longs for a stage career and also worships the words of Shakespeare. Unfortunately, in Elizabethan England, women are forbidden from appearing on the stage. The female parts were played by young boys.
So, Viola hits upon the idea of disguising herself as a man named Thomas Kent so she can join Shakespeare's company of players. Any comparison between Viola's actions and the plot of any Shakespeare work is purely not coincidental.
Will and Viola become star-crossed lovers as she is bethrothed to another - a poor nobleman who will use his dowry to build up his tobacco plantation in Virginia.
As Will and Viola's relationship deepens, so does the intensity of the love story in Romeo and Juliet. And, when Will and Viola finally concede that their love, while true, is doomed, it inspires Shakespeare to create the tragic finale for his play.
Paltrow is luscious, luminous, sensual as Viola. To use the Bard's own words, "Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear. ...For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."
She also displays a comic flair in her disguise as Thomas Kent, the actor. Paltrow is the sun around which this comic tale revolves.
As Shakespeare, Joseph Fiennes (younger brother of Ralph) is a bit bumbling, but quick-witted and lustful. He is not a dashing figure, but rather a tempermental young playwright trying to make a name for himself.
A strong supporting cast including Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush (Shine) as the theater owner who believes comedy is box office, Ben Affleck as matinee-idol dramatic actor Ned Alleyn, Tom Wilkinson (The Full Monty) as Fennyman, the stage-struck money lender and, most notably, Dame Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth. With this performance, as well as her Oscar-nominated impersonation of Queen Victoria in last year's Mrs. Brown, she displays the skill that has made her a monarch among actors.
Director John Madden (Mrs. Brown) keeps the film moving at a steady pace, deftly switching from broad comedy to touching moments of romance and drama.
Shakespeare in Love in a wonderful experience. You need not be a fan of the Bard to become enthralled, but I guarantee you will reach for a volume of Shakespeare soon after leaving the theater.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or at cbloom@iquest.net
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