Tremendous fun

Rating: 9/10 (1 February 1999)

The word 'romp' springs easily to mind, but this time it's highly appropriate. The script is beautifully witty and full of in-jokes without ever being pretentious. True, the film takes a while to find its feet and the historical inaccuracies are still too many to count, but so what? Fiennes has finally come of age and looks in danger of supplanting his elder brother (who badly needs another hit); Paltrow is radiant; and Rush does a surprisingly convincing comic turn. For me, the real surprise was Affleck, whose accent was not too unconvincing, and whose portrayal of a luvvie was as accurate as any today.
Oscars will follow, I'm sure. 9 out of 10 (one point docked for the unevenness in the first half hour). I'll go to see this one again.
PS Odd how, although this has been cited as a great British success, it was made largely with American money. Plus ca change...