In this well-conceived Elizabethan comedy, writers Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman ask the question: Who was William Shakespeare's muse? The answer: Viola de Lesseps, a young noblewoman who dreams of acting on a man's stage. The screenwriters deliver a cleverly crafted scenario which beautifully illustrates both the early aspirations of the playwright, and a glimpse into the culture of Elizabethan theater. Colorful characters, like the Globe theater owner Henslow (played by Geoffrey Rush), the lead player in the troupe (Ben Affleck), and the Queen herself (Judi Dench), give the cast charm, wit, and feasibility. The young playwright who at the start of the film is experiencing writer's block bursts forth with a lyrical text inspired by the lovely and passionate Viola. Ultimately this film is about the making of a great play, but most importantly it is about the power of words.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side/Dual Layer
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35:1
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. John Madden - Director
2. Cast and Crew
Featurettes - 1. "Shakespeare In Love and On Film"
2. Spotlight on Academy Award-Winning Costumes
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. TV Spots
Deleted Scenes
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/ Photo Galleries:
Shakespeare Facts
Costume Designer
Sandy Powell: Costume Designer
Director of Photography
Richard Greatrex: Director of Photography
Production Designer
Martin Childs:
Casting
Michelle Guish: Casting/Assistant Director
Review 1:
"You can't miss with a movie that speaks the language of love with such hot-blooded delight....[SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE] spins delicious magic..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.84 1/21/1999
Review 2:
"...Style and subject are ideally matched....[Rush] is increasingly superb..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.53-4 02/1999
Review 3:
"...A romance of exuberant theatricality and wit....Infused with the lifeblood of Shakespeare's passion..." -- Rating: A
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.45 03/12/1999
Review 4:
"...One of the year's smartest and funniest comedies..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
Source: USA Today
p.4D 12/24/1998
Review 5:
"...It soars freely into the realm of invention, wittily weaving Shakespearean language and emotion into an intoxicatingly glamorous romance..."
Source: New York Times
p.E16 12/11/1998
Review 6:
"...An inspired re-imagining of history and deft look at the relationship between art and life..."
Source: Box Office
p.52 01/01/1999
Review 7:
"...Smoothly executed....[Fiennes] has the burning eyes and brooding demeanor appropriate for a lover, and he and Paltrow, flourishing once again under a British accent and doing her best work since EMMA, have a winning chemistry..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C1 12/11/1998