Shakespeare in Love |  | Director: John Madden
Actors: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Steven O'Donnell
Category: DVD
Buy New: $7.99
as of 3/21/2010 01:13 EDT details
New (5) Used (10) from $7.49
Seller: inetvideo
Rating:  532 reviews
Sales Rank: 115884
Format: NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Running Time: 123 Minutes
UPC: 065935135050
EAN: 0065935135050
ASIN: B000065KB3
Theatrical Release Date: January 8, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
One of the most endearing and intelligent romantic comedies of the '90s, the Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love is filled with such good will, sunny romance, snappy one-liners, and devilish cleverness that it's absolutely irresistible. With tongue placed firmly in cheek, at its outset the film tracks young Will Shakespeare's overwrought battle with writer's block and the efforts of theater owner Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush, in rare form) to stage Will's latest comedy, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter. Jokey comedy, though, soon takes a backseat to ravishing romance when the beautiful Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) disguises herself as a young man to wangle herself an audition in the all-male cast, and wins both the part of Romeo and, after much misunderstanding, the playwright's heart. Soon enough, Will's pirate comedy becomes the beautiful, tragic Romeo and Juliet, reflecting the agony and ecstasy of Will and Viola's romance--he's married and she's set to marry the slimy Lord Wessex (Colin Firth) in the near future. The way that Oscar-winning screenwriters Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard enfold their story within the parameters of Romeo and Juliet (and even Twelfth Night) is nothing short of brilliant--it would take a Shakespearean scholar to dissect the innumerable parallels, oft-quoted lines, plot developments, and thematic borrowings. And most amazingly, Norman and Stoppard haven't forgotten to entertain their audience in addition to riding a Shakespearean roller coaster, with director John Madden (Mrs. Brown) reigning in his huge ensemble with rollicking energy. Along the way there are small gems to be found, including Judi Dench's eight-minute, Oscar-winning turn as a truly regal Queen Elizabeth, but the key element of Shakespeare in Love's success rests on the milky-white shoulders of its two stars. Fiennes, inexplicably overlooked at Oscar time, is a dashing, heartfelt Will, and as for Best Actress winner Paltrow, well, nothing she'd done before could have prepared viewers for how amazing she is here. Breathtakingly beautiful, fiercely intelligent, strong-willed, and lovestruck--it's a performance worthy of Shakespeare in more ways than one. By the film's end, you'll be thoroughly won over--and brushing up your Shakespeare with newfound ardor. --Mark Englehart
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 532
 An amazing, intelligent comedy. March 11, 2010
S. Curley (Charlottetown, PE, Canada)
The winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture for 1998 (awarded in 1999), "Shakespeare in Love" has gotten some unfair bad press in my opinion, largely due to its beating "Saving Private Ryan" in the contest. The latter film, a dramatic epic that redefined cinematic depictions of combat, has been widely viewed as the superior product. As a matter of personal opinion, I prefer "Shakespeare in Love", though I acknowledge that I am squarely in the middle of the film's target demographic: English Literature nerds who will get jokes about a violence-loving theatre assistant named John Webster. Nevertheless, the film is a stirring and witty tribute to Shakespeare and Renaissance theatre.
Set late in the reign of Elizabeth I (Judi Dench, in an eight-minute performance that won her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress), William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes, brother of Ralph) is a struggling playwright working at the Rose Theatre, owned by Phillip Henslowe, who is deep in the hock. Shakespeare is a prodigious talent, but romantic disappointment has resulted in a serious case of writer's block. Henslowe needs the comedy "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter" finished soon, and Shakespeare needs inspiration, which comes in the form of Viola de Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow), and ardent admirer of his plays who poses as a man to audition for a part. The two fall in love, but she is to marry the Earl of Wessex (Colin Firth; oddly, a year after the film was made, this title was created for Prince Edward; maybe Elizabeth II was a fan?).
This is a very smart and clever film, to start. Written by acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard with Marc Norman (who won an Oscar for it), it displays tremendous understanding of the time period, as well as the literature surrounding Shakespeare (choosing, for purposes of comic and dramatic effects to ignore the basis for "Romeo and Juliet" in an Italian story). You are given a real sense of the nature of the theatre of the period, and all of the competing demands on writers (the greatest writer of the English language was working for pence on a line, as he puts it). And Shakespeare is not yet the greatest English writer, with a running gag being the constant praise for Christopher Marlowe, who advises Shakespeare on his writing.
Gwyneth Paltrow won an Oscar for this star-making turn, and she is indeed marvellous, providing the soul of the film. She conveys tremendous passion, both romantic and for the theatre: she's not an especially convincing man, but that is a comic device that Shakespeare knew well. Joseph Fiennes as the other lead is good; Fiennes is not the most talented actor out there, but he provides the requisite romantic intensity, and is believable as a playwright. Ben Affleck is hilarious in a minor role as Edward Alleyn, one of the biggest stars on the Renaissance stage, an egotist tricked into playing a minor role. Dench is tartly funny, and there are a number of other recognizable faces, including Tom Wilkinson.
One of only two comedies to win Best Picture in the last 30 years, "Shakespeare in Love" is well worth seeing.
Best Movie Ever February 18, 2010
Patricia Scarr (Clovis, CA USA)
The DVD arrived safely and in great condition, also in a timely manner. I watched the movie as soon as it arrived and I just love it.
If you liked "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead", do not miss this February 6, 2010
bernie (Arlington, Texas)
Well actually, this film stands on its own. Who knows this could be the way it happened or should have happened. Writer Tom Stoppard takes a few liberties with reality and time to bring you the "True" story behind Shakespeare's genius, which would never have surfaced if it were not for love, friendship, tragedy, and a Virgin Queen.
Young Shakespeare has writers block. Then he meets and falls in love with Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) the daughter of a nobleman, Viola on the other hand is interested in the forbidden fruit of acting.
This film is set with one-liners and many witty inferences as each character plays off of the other. We almost had the play "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter". My favorite line is when Philip Henslowe: The show must... you know... William Shakespeare: [prompting him] Go on!
Do not miss Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth. Her few appearances add spice to the film.
Judi Dench as Titania in Midsummer Night's Dream (1968) [VHS]
 Never confirmed shipment.... January 6, 2010
Laura M. Halliday (Baldwinsvile, NY USA)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
I ordered this for a Christmas present, and the seller never even bothered to contact me.
A Must Own Movie! December 25, 2009
Stephen Ashley (Florida, USA)
From my wife Sarah: This is one of my all time favorite movies. I've got to admit I've watched it maybe 10 times, and plan to watch it again and again. It's one of the most beautiful, passionate and clever stories I've seen. The acting is amazing and real. Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes hold nothing back. I've got to say that they were very brave to reveal their souls on the screen like this. It's mesmerizing.
The script is not just poetic, smart and beautiful, but believable and very, very moving. I can just imagine that this is exactly what happened to William Shakesphere, and how he got the ideas for Romeo and Juliet. The characters in this movie are developed so well. Even the more minor characters. There's also humor, which adds to the film greatly. The costumes were fantastic, especially the queens. I actually gotten a chance to see one of the gowns on display and the detail is spectacular. When I watch this film, I'm transported to another time and place and I'm happy to go there. This movie is a great example of what movies can be and should aspire to. Clearly I strongly recommend this film.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 532
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