A must-see film for everyone

Rating: 10/10 (31 January 1999)

Shakespeare in love is a great film. I went in expecting a lot, the film has had a lot of good press, and I wasn't disappointed. Brilliant script, great direction, flawless acting. Tom Stoppard's script is rife with witty one-liners and clever in-jokes, and John Madden, after proving he was one to watch after Mrs Brown, has now shown us he is one of the great contemporary British directors. The cast, above all, is brilliant. In the main roles, Joseph Fiennes is hilarious and believable as Shakespeare and Gwyneth Paltrow is radiant and most impressive as Viola. The supporting cast is also good, with Ben Affleck playing a Ye Olde English version of an arrogant Hollywood actor, Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth and Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson and Martin Clunes also delivering great performances. Go see this film, and pray it beats Private Ryan to an Oscar.