Shakespeare in Love . Tucson Weekly . 01-04-99

Shakespeare in Love

DIRECTED BY: John Madden

REVIEWED: 01-04-99

Measure for measure, this is not playwright Tom Stoppard's best work. Still, it's a reasonably decent comedy of Eros, wherein young Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) spends his midsummer's nights dreaming about the beautiful Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), trying to write Romeo and Juliet, and avoiding the vengeful Lord Wessex, who wants to kill Will for messing with his woman. All this stirs up a tempest in the court of Queen Elizabeth, played by perennial noble Judi Dench (Mrs. Brown). Say what you will about the witty use of Shakespeare's titles and plots in this script (slightly altered scenes from Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night form the basis for this story about a girl named Viola who dresses as a boy to get a part in Shakespeare's play), it's all much ado about nothing as there are too many long pauses between funny bits. Still, if you'd enjoy seeing lots of Paltrow and Fiennes, both of whom are attractive and talented young actors, then this film is as you like it.

--DiGiovanna

Full Length Reviews
Shakespeare in Love

Capsule Reviews
Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare in Love

Other Films by John Madden
Mrs. Brown

Film Vault Suggested Links
Paperback Romance
Love and Other Catastrophes
Shooting Fish

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