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Shakespeare in Love

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6.9/10 • 3K

1998-12-112h 3m

RomanceHistoryComedy

Love is the only inspiration.

Young Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," before it's even written. When a lovely noblewoman auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love -- and his play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship progresses, Shakespeare's comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

Directors
John Madden
Editors
David Gamble

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Joseph Fiennes

    Joseph Fiennes

    Will Shakespeare

  2. Gwyneth Paltrow

    Gwyneth Paltrow

    Viola De Lesseps

  3. Geoffrey Rush

    Geoffrey Rush

    Philip Henslowe

  4. Tom Wilkinson

    Tom Wilkinson

    Hugh Fennyman

  5. Judi Dench

    Judi Dench

    Queen Elizabeth

  6. Imelda Staunton

    Imelda Staunton

    Nurse

  7. Colin Firth

    Colin Firth

    Lord Wessex

  8. Ben Affleck

    Ben Affleck

    Ned Alleyn

  9. Simon Callow

    Simon Callow

    Tilney

Reviews2

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GenerationofSwine Avatar

GenerationofSwine

Jan 14, 2023

1/10

Does anyone remember this? I do, but only because its what turned me off of the Oscars. Haven't watched them since. It was the rude awakening that they were fixed, the quality of the film didn't matter as much as the bribes. It beat Saving Private Ryan for best picture. And then it beat Bulworth for best screen play. That was sort of enough to turn my head. Both of them? Bulworth was far from best picture worthy, but best original screenplay seemed as much as a shoe in as Ryan for Best Picture. And then it went on to win Best score over Mulan, A Bug's Life, and Prince of Egypt which is curious because it didn't really fit the criteria for Musical or Comedy Score as much as it's competition. And then now, looking back, who remembers it? If it's remembered at all, it's remembered for beating Saving Private Ryan, which has become a classic. Shakespeare in Love is just remembered for it's sweep of the awards, both at the Oscars and beyond, but not for its quality.

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$25,000,000.00
Revenue
$289,300,000.00
Keywords
london, englandtheater playqueen elizabeth iplaywrightcross dressingfalse historyfrancis bacon16th centuryactingelizabethan englandromantic