Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter

Rating: 7/10 (26 August 1999)

This was good solid entertainment and showcased Ms. Paltrow at her luminous best. What was really almost more interesting to me than the love story between Viola and Will was the secondary story of the creation and development of Romeo & Juliet. The play finally enacted within the film was nearly as good a performance of this as I have ever seen! Incredible costuming and sets, a truly visual treat. Judi Dench makes for the most formidable Royalty! both here and in Mrs. Brown, so I am rather glad that I did not have the misfortune to have been born into those Eras. That is not to say she wasn't wonderful in the parts, for she was incredible, as always. Gywneth Paltrow has to be one of the brightest young stars shining today, but I do hope with all my heart that she doesn't succumb to the Hollywood Star Mentality, for that would surely affect her glow.