What's the fuss?

Rating: 5/10 (11 April 1999)

Ok, this movie is cute. Very clever, even. But Oscar material? Come on. There's some amusing stuff in the vein of Shakey himself, and some funny implications of Bill's relationship with Christopher "Kit" Marlowe. But I can't see why Gwynneth was nominated - I'd say her acting in "Sliding Doors" was far better than this. To imply that ANYONE could actually be fooled into thinking she is a man, even with a bad goatee, is ludicrous.
Maybe it's because this was the second half of a double-feature with Elizabeth, but Shakespeare in Love paled next to that gem of a period piece. The acting was broad and unbelievable, the plot stilted, the characters more caricatures than anything. Just like Bill would have wanted it.