Love and laughs

Rating: 7/10 (22 March 2012)

William Shakespeare is struggling with the writing of his new play, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter. Look at the title of that play and it doesn't take a Shakespearean scholar to see where this is headed. Yes, this will be the story of the making of Romeo and Juliet. Not the true story but a fanciful notion of what might have been. And after watching this film you can't help but wish that this had actually been the way it played out. Because it's a great story. A smart one too, with a script so chock-full of brilliant little nuggets that Shakespeare himself would be proud. It's a story of forbidden love, Shakespeare weaving the events of his own life into the famous play we know so well. But along with the love there are laughs as we watch Shakespeare and his players struggle to bring Romeo and Juliet to life. And there are so many sly, witty references to other famous works of Shakespeare that it is probably impossible to catch them all. Like any great story this one requires great performers to give it life. Happily this film has great performers in abundance.
Joseph Fiennes plays Shakespeare and captures wonderfully all the frustrations of a struggling playwright. He also makes for part of a great pair as Shakespeare struggles with his love which cannot be. The woman he falls for is Viola De Lesseps, a woman of privilege and, not incidentally, a huge fan of theater. She falls for Shakespeare just as hard and just as quickly as he falls for her. But unfortunately their love is doomed as she is promised in marriage to the rather odious Lord Wessex. Meanwhile Viola, huge theater fan that she is, is determined to play a role in Shakespeare's newest play despite the prohibition on women performers in this era. Disguised as a man she wins the part of Romeo. Shakespeare uncovers her true identity and their love continues to bloom even as she keeps up her charade. She is his inspiration, his lover and his lead performer. But her charade cannot last and neither can their love. Eventually, and inevitably, all hell breaks loose.
The part of Viola, a dual role really, is a very challenging one to play and Gwyneth Paltrow does a magnificent job with it. She's a beautiful, radiant, charming woman who can slap on a fake mustache and a wig and fool everyone into thinking she's a man. A life with two sides and Paltrow is letter-perfect throughout. As a woman she's a wonderful lover. As a man she's a heck of a performer. Of course her dual life causes complications. It also causes laughs. This is not a film to leave you rolling in the aisles but there is a lot of good comedy here, and smart comedy at that. And while it is Fiennes and Paltrow at the heart of the story who are most responsible for carrying the film there are so many other fine performances here. As Queen Elizabeth Judi Dench isn't on the screen much but she makes the most of every moment she has. Such a great presence and she manages to provide some humor as well. Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson and Colin Firth all get their moments to shine. And playing a cocky, egotistical actor there's Ben Affleck, who plays the part with a knowing wink and plays it wonderfully. This is a film with a lot of charm and plenty of wit. Maybe it never hits the highest comedic heights but it will probably have you smiling throughout. Yes, as so many have stated, the fact that it beat out Saving Private Ryan for Best Picture is rather baffling. Doesn't mean it's not a good film in its own right though. The screenplay is brilliant, the performances are terrific. It makes for, if not Best Picture material, a thoroughly enjoyable diversion.