Boring, predictable, trite (spoiler)

Rating: 3/10 (6 May 2001)

It is extremely seldom that I feel like I've wasted my time after watching a movie, yet this movie left me feeling that way. The movie is not only slow and boring, but predictable throughout. The characters all lack character, they are one-dimensional and stereotyped, and as such I found them (and the acting) quite unconvincing. When Wessex refers to Viola as "property" (and makes various similar derogatory comments during the movie) this comes off as merely a cheap attempt to evoke a particular reaction and feeling from the audience - we are "supposed" to dislike this character. The same applies to all the major characters in the movie - we are told exactly how we are supposed to feel about them throughout the movie. These techniques are Hollywood textbook, and I guess I expected a little more from a movie that managed the number of awards it did (which I found out only after having watched the movie). The storyline is fairly predictable; we are often told in advance exactly what to expect will happen later in the movie (e.g. when the Queen makes the wager, we know already how this will pan out).
The romantic parts are excessive and trite, but may appeal to Mills & Boons fans and thirteen year old girls. The comedy was lacking - there were maybe six or seven funny parts throughout the movie, and most of these were either already shown in the preview, or were predictable and hackneyed. I found the recreation of the setting of Shakespearean London unconvincing - although a lot of effort and research were obviously put into this (costumes, props, extras), the implementation came off to me as being overdone.
The movie is obviously well researched and well produced, but lacks character and substance. It comes off as a typical formula "feel good" movie, tugging all the right heartstrings at all the right places in a predictable textbook fashion.