One of Oscar's Biggest Mistakes

Rating: Null/10 (24 June 2000)

1998 was a great year for films and it made me sick to see this film win the Best Picture Oscar and Gwyneth Paltrow the Best Actress award. "Shakespeare in Love" is a witty, funny, but somewhat childish film that tries to make the life of a dull historical figure seem interesting. It succeeded in that regard with interesting characters and a watchable story (even though it is completely fictional). The production values are high and the costume designs are excellent; however the acting is sophomoric for the most part. How Gwyneth Paltrow ever beat Cate Blanchett from "Elizabeth" is beyond me. Every other Best Picture nominee was better than this film; I mean all four of them ("Elizabeth", "Life Is Beautiful", "Saving Private Ryan", and "The Thin Red Line"). When film critics look back 20 years from now they'll say to themselves "Shakespeare in Love"!? 4 stars out of 5.