Without a doubt, the best film of 1998!

Rating: 10/10 (4 March 1999)

"Shakespeare in Love" is truly genius! The symbolism of the language and events, the beauty of the costumes, sets, and scenery (not to mention Gwyneth Paltrow) is absolutely amazing. "Shakespeare in Love," for lack of better words, is a fulfilling -- even profound -- experience. The language is advanced, but it flows wonderfully. If you were to shut your eyes and only listen to the words of the actors, you could "see" just as vividly as if you were to have your eyes glued to the screen (and trust me -- your eyes ARE glued to the screen).
The love scenes are very tasteful, and even though there is partial nudity, the scenes retain their artistic value. I feel very strongly that this film will win the Oscar for Best Picture. "Saving Private Ryan" WAS a good film, based on real events (which are easily duplicated), and its emotions came from WITHIN the viewer, whether thinking of personal memories or memories of someone they know. It took imagination and talent to make the fictional events in "Shakespeare in Love" (though BASED on truth) into something so moving and so real.
I respect a movie a lot more when it MAKES me belive, rather than ALLOWING me to believe. I hope that makes sense, but I really can't think of another way to say it. "Saving Private Ryan" was, in a way, an informative documentary about the horrors of war. "Shakespeare in Love," on the other hand, drew me in and MADE me belive in it. My heart aches for a love like that. We should all be so lucky.