I'm In Love with Shakespeare

Shakespeare in Love is not supposed to be a historically accurate film. It is a comedy, a film to enjoy, an art house film for entertainment. Not only are people who are fond of Shakespeare supposed to have fun watching it, it is also supposed to be fun for the average movie goer.

There are some fun little cameos and references of other plays by Shakespeare. Mentions of Two Gentlemen of Verona appear in the opening, references to As You Like It’s Rosalind appear, Hamlet, Titus Andronicus, Twelfth Night, and others all are referred to in one form or another.

Also, though it is not historically accurate, they do get some details right. They set a date for the film and the historical backdrop is for the most part intact as well as some small details about Shakespeare. The screenwriters mention the plague closing the play houses, Christopher Marlowe appears as one of the main stream writers of the time, they do mention Shakespeare’s family such as his wife and children, and they also portray Queen Elizabeth more or less properly of how she relates to the stage (even though they don’t portray her passion for Shakespeare himself.

And not only these points for Shakespeare fans, but there is some great acting and great writing for the average movie goer to enjoy. Although the film may not be deserving of the Best Picture award that it received in the Oscars, there are some great bits. Joseph Fiennes seems almost made for the part of Shakespeare (even though his brother is the better actor, Ralph Fiennes who himself is another famous Shakeseare actor), Colin Firth is brilliant as our villain, Tom Wilkinson and Geoffrey Rush fill the screen with wonderful comedic lines and performances, Ben Affleck somehow gives his best performance for any movie, and Judi Dench is amazing as Queen Elizabeth I. (I don’t mention Paltrow because she is not that great, she never is.) And not only are all of these actors great, but smaller parts are filled with other brilliant actors. Rupert Everett as Marlowe, Imelda Staunton as the Nurse for Lady Viola, Jim Carter as the man who plays the Nurse on stage, and Mark Williams as one of the actors. It is just pure enjoyment to see all of these actors doing so well with some great material and showing their terrific comedic timing.

In one of my last reviews, I commented on the directing of a film, and I think I should mention it here again. I think John Madden did an excellent job at fitting everything together. Not just working with the script and the actors, but with the brilliant set designs, the music, and the editing all fit neat and tidy without any problems. Unlike Anonymous, this film doesn't take itself too seriously, never saying that this is how the play of Romeo and Juliet was written.

With brilliant writing, brilliant acting, and brilliant directing, there is so much to love, even if there are some problems with the historical accuracy. It works well as a romantic comedy, obviously it did because of all of the awards it won.

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