I didn't know what to expect with this movie. Even though it won the Oscar in 1999 I always stayed away. I thought it would be nothing more than a film adaptation of one of Shakespeare's plays. I'm really glad I was (sort of) wrong with my prediction. I think the movie is carried by Fiennes interpretation of a young Shakespeare. Shakespeare is energetic, youthful, and a bit naive. In contrast, he is also immensely talented and time and time again takes some life or death risks in the name of his work and of love. Fiennes' Shakespeare is one of the most refreshing characters I've seen in a long time in film. It's a perfect mix of brash and gooey.
It's impossible to talk about this movie without mentioning Gwyneth Paltrow. She won the Oscar for best actress in her role as Viola. She was mesmerizing. I didn't particularly like how her assertiveness in pursuing acting totally clashed with her submissiveness in following through with her marriage. I assume this only reflected the times but I was unsettled by the inconsistency of her character. Nevertheless, Paltrow is extremely good in this movie.
Here's Gwyneth Paltrow's speech after winning her own oscar for the film:
Some other things I noticed...Ben Affleck's role as Henry VI was surprisingly good. I don't think Affleck is a very good actor (I think his brother Casey is better) but in this role he comes off as very honest and at times, sheepish.
I was very put off by one of the make-out scenes where Shakespeare makes out with Viola dressed as a man. It was weird because even though they were alone, Viola kept on her fake mustache on for way too long! Fiennes should have taken it off immediately.
Finally, one of the best characters in the entire film is the nurse. She is hilarious and also very devoted to Paltrow. Their relationship parallels the one between Juliet and her nurse in the actual play. She steals scenes and arguably facilitates everything that happens between Viola and Shakespeare. Furthermore, the role of Queen Elizabeth is also perfect. She watches plays, seems approachable, jokes with commoners, and has a sincere feistiness about her. The movie is made so much better by the nurse and by the queen.
I'm sure an entire essay can be written about how Shakespeare in Love is a parallel of "Romeo and Juliet" (after all "R&J" is a result of the events in the movie) but I don't want to get into academics here, except to say that the little coincidences were very subtle and enjoyable.
Overall, I think this movie is a must for anybody that has read Shakespeare and enjoys film. The dialect is heavy, heavy, and I mean heavy with Shakespearian speech but it is not unintelligible. The characters carry the film (both majors and minors) and the scenery is also superb. The acting is so sincere and the forbidden love has everyone hoping for a happy ending, that indeed, does not come.
Here's the movie trailer:
Here's the movie trailer:
