The young bard gets inspiration

Rating: 10/10 (17 January 1999)

This movie was definitely one of the top films for capturing the elements of a young Shakespeare in the Elizabethan age, all the while managing to entertain us. Joseph Fiennes definitely establishes himself as a rising star in this one, and Gwyneth Paltrow portrays her character in a way I've never seen her do before. Geoffrey Rush, as well as other more minor characters (such as Ben Affleck) round out a superb cast. The story itself is somewhat, but not altogether predictable, too. It was interesting to see young Will visiting a crude psychologist, for example, because his quill would not write. In addition, the inclusion of such literary/historical figures as Richard Burbage and Christopher Marlowe makes this movie somewhat educational as well. Unfortunately, school classrooms will not be able to view this because of some sexual content that does, in fact, move the plot forward. That is unfortunate because Fiennes' portrayal definitely breaks the stereotype of Shakespeare as boring.