Shakespeare in Love (Shakespeare In Love (DVD))

Member Name: Andwynn

Product:	Shakespeare In Love (DVD)
Date:	06/07/00 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: amusing in parts

Disadvantages: fairly dull overall

This has got to be one of the most over-hyped films of all
times.

The main story is that William Shakespeare (played by Ralph
Fienes' baby brother, Joseph) has writers block, his muse,
Rosalind, has been 'cheating' on him (as much as a seamstress
can 'cheat', cos we all know what they mean when they say
they're a seamstress (apologies to any non-Pratchett reading
seamstresses out there), don't we?) and now the theatre is
going to be closed down and the owner tortured for the money
he owes. Well, happens all the time in the 1590s, doesn't
it?

Then he meets Viola (Gwynneth Paltrow), a beautiful lady who
wants to be an actress - a bit difficult in 1593, cos there
is no such thing. A female actor would make the play a
'lewd' act. Viola is to marry Lord Wessex, a match which
has the blessing of Queen Elizabeth (Judi Dench), who wants
to sweep her off to Virginia.

How on earth this won 7 academy awards utterly utterly fails
me. It is dull and tedious. It occasionally has slightly
humourous moments, but they are few and far between. And
the overall effect just isn't worth all the hype. The best
explanation I've had so far is that the attraction is in
the form of Gwyneth Paltrow's chest. To be honest, I don't
remember it being on show, but then, I also wasn't looking
out especially for it.

All in all, I expect my grandmother will like this film. I,
on the other hand, didn't.

Summary: