Shakespeare in Love

1998 • 123 minutes
4.4
212 reviews
92%
Tomatometer
R
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

Triumphant winner of 7 Academy Awards® -- including Best Picture -- this witty, sexy smash features Oscar®-winning Best Actress Gwyneth Paltrow (SLIDING DOORS, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS) and an amazing cast that includes Academy Award- winners Judi Dench (Best Supporting Actress), Geoffrey Rush (Best Actor -- SHINE), and Ben Affleck (GOOD WILL HUNTING, PEARL HARBOR). When Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes -- ELIZABETH) needs passionate inspiration to break a bad case of writer's block, a secret romance with the beautiful Lady Viola (Paltrow) starts the words flowing like never before! There are just two things he'll have to learn about his new love: not only is she promised to marry someone else, but she's successfully impersonating a man in order to play the lead in Will's latest production! A truly can't-miss motion picture event with outstanding critical acclaim to match its impressive collection of major awards -- everyone will love this funny behind-the-scenes look at the writing of the greatest love story ever told!
Rating
R

Ratings and reviews

4.4
212 reviews
Jason Dolan
May 15, 2021
Actually deserved to win Best Picture over Saving Private Ryan (which deserved its Oscars for directing, cinematography, editing and sound) but Shakespeare in Love dealt beautifully with the flipside of war, the creation of art and the eternal quest for love while also dealing with the suppression of women and the need for their liberation.
John Miles
April 16, 2021
I am not a movie critic, but this story gets 10 thumbs up! This movie is telling two stories in one place. The story of Will Shakespeare and Lady Viola is true inspiration for the Shakespearean masterpiece, Romeo and the pirate queen or rather Romeo and Juliet. Many movies over time have attempted to bring the work of William Shakespeare to the big screen, with limited success. But Shakespeare in love is a captivating telling of Romeo and Juliet, while also giving us a glimpse of how the story.
Susie HRTsAFyre
March 11, 2014
The cast and costumes are incredible. The facts are right and the spin on how Romeo and Juliet was conceived is quite possibly true. The romance, spirit and comedy in this film leaves you happy and wanting more. Excellent film for both men & women alike!