Shakespeare in Love is a light comedy about the famous English writer and the Elizabethan theatre.
The movie does give us some insight on the theatre world, how plays were commissioned, how playwrights and producers worked and what the inside of the theatre looked like. But we feel the message would have been better delivered by another sort of vehicle. The “easy laugh” humour makes us think of a high school movie and the acting or the story are far from being convincing.
Despite being a fiction work, with all the Shakespearean references and so many real people mentioned something could have been done to be slightly more accurate.
After so many easy jokes we were really only amused by Judi Dench (small role but as good as ever), Geoffrey Rush (just great), Ben Affleck (for once!) and Colin Firth (an exaggerated performance but carried with finesse)! Also, someone should have told Gwyneth Paltrow that she looks ridiculous in male clothes! Or was that the goal? Her moustache and wig are really bad and since they matched her acting in this movie, we are still wondering how, oh my how, she got the Academy Award for Best Actress for this role. A real mystery!
Although we wouldn’t say it’s completely bad – because it’s not, it has funny moments and it’s still entertaining – but we think 7 Oscars was a bit too much for such a light romantic comedy. And Alex after so many years still thinks Cate Blanchett was robbed by her amazing performance as Elizabeth I. 
THANK YOU. The year when this movie swept the Oscars was the year I became quite jaded about the Oscars! This movie was fun, sure, but it didn’t deserve the accolades it got. I felt like I was in la-la land and everyone was drinking the Cool-Aid. I also feel this way about Pirates of the Caribbean, but that’s another story.
I like this movie very much, but I agree that 7 Oscars was just too much. But sometimes the Oscars don’t make any sense…
Don’t forget Rupert Everett!
I liked this movie very much, and its soundtrack too.
It was so much fun
Oh, I disagree!
I love that movie and could watch it over and over again.
To me it is funny and elegant and witty and quick, a bit tragic, a bit frivolous and a bit superficial, just like Shakespeare.
I also think they did a great job bringing that era to live (after all I studied about Shakesperean times so far, it fits very nicely to my picture – well, not in a strict historical view, but I think it captures the spirit). And as far as I know they did pay much attention to historical details and worked that in, considering there’s no real certainty about Shakespear and his live, still, they could of course play with speculations as well.
And yes, all those small roles Colin Firth, Ruper Everett, Judi Dench, Geoffrey Rush, Ben Affleck and more, it’s so nice to see so many actors have a part in this.
, but I laugh each time about the “all will end well – how? – no one knows, it’s a mystery!” running gag. My kind of humor obviously.
And I also think the main actors are doing a great job. They are acting as if they were acting in a Shakespeare play. That is also where I put Gwyneth Paltrow’s man-costume… she’s supposed to look like a girl badly dressed as a guy, it’s theatre!
And I love the way they weave in all those little Shakespeare quotes, as if they came right from the moment, very funny.
And I may be shallow
Ah, I love it. It’s light and funny and well done.
After all this is said I still agree, that maybe 7 Oscars was a bit much… but the ones for costumes, music and especially script I would have happily given.
I remember I liked this movie. But I also remember Elizabeth was so, so much better, specially if we compare Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow.
But I’m not that sensible to the inaccuracies, they don’t bother me that much. I mean, if there were dragons flying around I would probably be a bit mad, but these little things, ment to make a movie lighter or more watchable or whatever don’t annoy me. I know when I enter the theater that it’s not exactly a history movie and so I tend to check somethings at the door and not have too high expectations.
Overall, I think it’s a cute movie, with a nice love story. And yes, I agree: 7 Oscars were way too many.
insult to injury
Cate Blanchett lost the Oscar on Elizabeth for this one…
It seems so many try and follow along the same lines since it came out. Often I will find a movie that will remind me of it …