SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998), film review

Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by John Madden, written by Marc Norman,  playwright Tom Stoppard.

Shakespeare in Love won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Gwyneth Paltrow), Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), and Best Original Screenplay.

Locations

The locations used in the production were Hatfield House, Hertfordshire (for the fireworks scene), Broughton Castle, Oxfordshire (which played the role of the de Lesseps home), the beach at Holkham in Norfolk, the chapel at Eton College, Berkshire, and the Great Hall of Middle Temple, London.

Plot

William Shakespeare, a young playwright, didn’t have the inspiration for a new tragedy. The only element he had was the title: Romeo and Ethel. He was looking for someone who could act the part of Romeo, when in the theatre Thomas Kent arrived.

William was surprised and he wanted him for the Romeo’s part, so he asked him to take off his hat to see his face and recognized him; but the actor ran away because he was a woman, and women weren’t allowed on the stage.

Thomas Kent was actually Viola De Lesseps, a noble woman that Shakespeare had seen and who had fallen in love  with. She had to marry another noble man, Lord Wessex, but anyhow she continued to play under Thomas Kent’s dresses. During the performance, Viola was unmasked and because of her being a woman, the theatre was closed. The day of first representation of the play, Viola had to marry Lord Wessex, but, as soon she knew about the play, she reached the theatre hiding herself by her new husband. There was another problem too. The actor who would act Juliet missed for a stupid problem, so Viola, sat in the audience, offered herself to act. The play was performed and had a lot of success.

Review

According to me, “Shakespeare in Love” is a great film: I liked the idea of using Shakespeare as the main character in a Shakespearean play. This makes this comedy one of the most original romantic plays ever seen. The setting is also really cool since you feel like you are living in medieval times. The costume design is also great. As a whole, Shakespeare in Love perfectly blends romance, comedy, and drama, all into one and really never fails to capture your attention due to the great production elements and great acting. I really advice you to watch it.

by Andrea Conti & Mirco Brambilla