Everyone will be in love with this stunningly beautiful film

Rating: 10/10 (12 November 2007)

William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is having a major writer's block. He contends he writes best when he has a "muse", that is, he is in love. No matter that he already has a wife some distance away, he courts many a lovely lass. Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a beautiful young noblewoman whose father has some money but no title. She loves going to the theater productions at the court of Queen Elizabeth I (Judy Dench). With her parents away and Shakespeare set to start work on a new play, Viola disguises herself as a man and auditions for the play. She, um, he gets the part. Will crashes a posh party soon after and spies the real Viola. He's smitten, through and through. But, Viola's parents have already arranged for her to marry a nobleman (Colin Firth) who has a title but needs the money Viola's dowry can provide. Horrors! Nevertheless, Will succeeds in winning Viola's heart and they begin a relationship. As a consequence, Will is inspired to write the lovely but tragic Romeo and Juliet as his new play. But, will there be a tragic ending for Viola and Will, too? This film is more "lovely than a summer's day". It is stunningly beautiful and everything is utter perfection. The terrific cast of Fiennes, Paltrow, Dench, Ben Affleck, Geoffrey Rush, Firth, Tom Wilkinson, Rupert Everett, and all of the other actors, are wonderful beyond words. Paltrow and Dench walked off with the Oscars but everyone is truly excellent. Add on the sumptuous costumes, the gorgeous sets and scenery, the excellent script, the vibrant direction, and the fantastic musical score and you have a film with absolutely no flaws whatsoever. So, then, what are you waiting for? This is a film to buy and cherish forever and ever.