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MOVIES / ON DVD / SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Shakespeare in Love

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Shakespeare in Love (1998)

93%
100%
83%
N/A
N/A
N/A
93 %
Reviews Counted: 101 Fresh: 94  Rotten:7 Average Rating: 8.1/10
 
Consensus: An delightful romantic comedy that succeeds at every level.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins

Synopsis: In this well-conceived Elizabethan comedy, writers Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman ask the question: Who was William Shakespeare's muse? The answer: Viola de Lesseps, a young noblewoman who dreams of acting on a man's stage. The screenwriters deliver a cleverly crafted scenario which... In this well-conceived Elizabethan comedy, writers Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman ask the question: Who was William Shakespeare's muse? The answer: Viola de Lesseps, a young noblewoman who dreams of acting on a man's stage. The screenwriters deliver a cleverly crafted scenario which beautifully illustrates both the early aspirations of the playwright, and a glimpse into the culture of Elizabethan theater. Colorful characters, like the Globe theater owner Henslow (played by Geoffrey Rush), the lead player in the troupe (Ben Affleck), and the Queen herself (Judi Dench), give the cast charm, wit, and feasibility. The young playwright who at the start of the film is experiencing writer's block bursts forth with a lyrical text inspired by the lovely and passionate Viola. Ultimately this film is about the making of a great play, but most importantly it is about the power of words. [More]

Genre: Comedies

Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Ben Affleck, Judi Dench

Director: John Madden
Screenwriter: Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard
Producer: David Parfitt, Donna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick, Marc Norman
Composer: Stephen Warbeck

DVD Info

Release:

Feb 1, 2004

[DVD Details]
  • Shakespeare In Love
  • Triumphant winner of 7 Academy Awards(R) -- including Best Picture -- this witty, sexy smash features Oscar(R)-winning Best Actress Gwyneth Paltrow (SLIDING DOORS, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS) and an amazing cast that includes Academy Award-winners Judi Dench (Best Supporting Actress), Geoffrey Rush (Best Actor -- SHINE), and Ben Affleck (GOOD WILL HUNTING, PEARL HARBOR). When Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes -- ELIZABETH) needs passionate inspiration to break a bad case of writer's block, a secret romance with the beautiful Lady Viola (Paltrow) starts the words flowing like never before! There are just two things he'll have to learn about his new love: not only is she promised to marry someone else, but she's successfully impersonating a man in order to play the lead in Will's latest production! A truly can't-miss motion picture event with outstanding critical acclaim to match its impressive collection of major awards -- everyone will love this funny behind-the-scenes look at the writing of the greatest love story ever told!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  • Reviews

     
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    1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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    Ratings Image
    N/A

    A cleverly scripted reworking of a period comedy.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    02/20/08
    Channel 4 Film
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    It's Tom Stoppard's witty, intelligent script which proves so satisfying.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Derek Adams
    Time Out
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    A rich but satisfying plum-pudding.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    03/05/02
    Philip Kemp
    Sight and Sound
    Ratings Image
    5/5

    This is a joyous and quite brilliant comedy.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Nev Pierce
    BBC
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    A rom-com with added smarts for the literature scholars, which doesn't alienate everyone else.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Ian Nathan
    Empire Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    10/10

    Shakespeare in Love is a wonder to behold, and to cherish.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Ian Waldron-Mantgani
    UK Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    Accessible, entertaining and fun for modern audiences. Exquisitely acted, tightly directed and impressively assembled, this lively period piece is the kind of arty gem with potentially broad appeal that Miramax certainly knows how to sell.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    02/20/08
    Lael Loewenstein
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    5/5

    Wastes no time setting itself up as a rowdy, colloquial piece of popular entertainment -- the furthest thing from a fussy biopic of the Bard.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/23/07
    Rob Gonsalves
    eFilmCritic.com
    Ratings Image
    4/4

    It is clear that everyone in the film is having a great time with the material, and it is contagious.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    07/14/07
    Joe Lozito
    Big Picture Big Sound
    Ratings Image
    3.5/4

    Henslowe may be onto something when he jokes that all audiences want is love and a bit with the dog, but this film delivers much more.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    02/05/07
    Sandra Contreras
    TV Guide's Movie Guide
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    It's easy to suspend disbelief and embrace this historically creative fiction, whose clever relationship to what's known and what's unresolved is part of what makes it so intriguing and so romantic.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    02/05/07
    Lisa Alspector
    Chicago Reader
    Ratings Image
    3.5/4

    A sumptuous fictional glimpse into the creative mind of one of history's most brilliant theatrical minds.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    01/04/07
    Wesley Lovell
    Oscar Guy
    Ratings Image
    A-

    A rare crowd pleasing movie that's smartly written and splendidly acted, representing a combination of poetry, art, and entertainment that does justice to the Bard's own comedies.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    12/03/06
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com
    Ratings Image
    3/4

    It's the performances which push this to a very high level.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/30/06
    Garth Franklin
    Dark Horizons
    Ratings Image
    3.5/4

    Shakespeare in Love moves fast, and may deserve multiple viewings. It's a delicious feast of lowbrow and highbrow mixed with romance.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    05/26/06
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    It's a literary burlesque, remarkably clever and quick on its feet. It is ardently romantic but is at its best when it is funny. And it's funny.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    07/21/05
    Jeff Millar
    Houston Chronicle
    Ratings Image
    A

    The matter of fact telling of just how young Will got many of his ideas is leavened with all the elements of great film and [director John] Madden balances them all with grace, style and skill.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    04/09/05
    Robin Clifford
    Reeling Reviews
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    Although Shakespeare in Love benefits from a delightful screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard -- and a flattering one, for viewers who can congratulate themselves on recognizing this or that tatter of the Bard -- the film's virtues peter out.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    03/03/05
    Stuart Klawans
    Nation
    Ratings Image
    B+

    It has powerful language and a wealth of talent as its distinguishing marks, but it shies away, curiously, from poetry, subtlety, and art whenever the lovers embrace, and we’re left with no heroes or heroines worth swooning for.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    12/06/04
    Jeffrey Overstreet
    Looking Closer
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    A nothing movie. Gossamer-thin, the slightest breeze will blow it from our collective memories.

    comment 1 Comment
    07/05/04
    Martin Scribbs
    Low IQ Canadian
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