Swashbuckling bard

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 1999)

Gee, I had no idea Will Shakespeare kicked butt like this? I guess I would too if fighting in the midst of gorgeous Gwynyth Paltrow. This movie is pure fantsasy, and is richly entertaning if taken at that level; I just hope some folks out there don't take it as literal (or close to literal) fact. Geoofery Roush is hillariious, Judi Dench is grand as the Queen and Ben Affleck plays the master thespian well, but the real star is the chemistry between Shakespeare and his muse, and the smart screenplay is a close second. Top it off with a gorgeous score and taught direction and you've got a real winner. Don't miss this one - its worthy of its award status!