Fresh
[An] inordinately clever, sprightly romantic comedy.
Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
Shakespeare in Love
Love is the only inspiration.
1998 · 2h 4m · R
Comedy, History, Romance
Directed by
John Madden
Overview
Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
Director and cast
- John Madden Director
- Joseph Fiennes as Will Shakespeare
- Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola De Lesseps
- Geoffrey Rush as Philip Henslowe
- Tom Wilkinson as Hugh Fennyman
- Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth
- Imelda Staunton as Nurse
- Colin Firth as Lord Wessex
- Ben Affleck as Ned Alleyn
- Simon Callow as Tilney
- Steven Beard as Makepeace
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
92%
Tomatometer
Fresh
It restores to centrality of consciousness one of the great geniuses of our civilization. It makes us care for his greatness, for his passion, for his worth. In no uncertain terms, it tells us Willie Boy is still here.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
Fresh
Scene after scene engages us as cheerful groundlings, tosses us jokes, toys with our expectations, then sweeps away the boundaries between film and stage, comedy and tragedy so we're open to the power of language and the feelings behind it.
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
Fresh
A triumph of talent and style over silliness.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
Fresh
Hilarious, sexy, clever, playful and as initially teasing as it is ultimately satisfying.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
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