The little film that could!

Rating: Null/10 (3 February 2003)

When I first saw Shakespeare in Love over the Christmas holidays of 1998, I was so moved by its story and its message of love conquering over everything. I never would have suspected it walking off with Best Picture at the Oscars that year, but I am SO GLAD that it did. Come to think of it, that was the year that Saving Private Ryan was nominated for Best Picture as well and it was almost a certainty that it would end up receiving top accolades that year. The only thing that I can remember being certain of on Oscar night 1999 was that Gywneth Paltrow would take home an award as Best Actress of the year...and of course, as we all know by now, I was right. Most people say that her performance was over the top in this film but I alas, must disagree. Paltrow played the role of a woman of aristocratic means betrothed to another man to whom she can show no affection whatsoever just itching to experience the excitement and passion that is live theater as an actress in the day when all of the female roles that were out there were portrayed solely by men. So, in essence she bucks tradition and goes against everything she's ever known to be right within the world to fulfill her dream and win the heart of the only man she's ever really truly loved: William Shakespeare, played here exquisitely and sexily by Joseph Fiennes. It is a shame that Fiennes' portrayal of the Bard of Avon never garnered any nominations or any awards for that matter at either that years Golden Globes or Oscar Ceremonies. He truly gave one of that years most riveting and explosive breakout performances. Dame Judi Dench was amazing as she always is and it was a shame that she wasn't on for more than just eight minutes. Her character, Queen Elizabeth I gives what is in mmy opinion the greatest line in the film: "I know what it's like to be a woman in a man's profession, God help me I know that."
So in essence, as much as Shakespeare in Love was a great film, I cannot really understand why, five years later, it won Best Picture that year. I just watched it on DVD last week and found it fun and a great romantic/date film to watch with that special someone in your life but as a film that says something to the masses, this film gets a good push from the starting line but somehow falters in its overall viewpoint by dragging on for at least an excessive ten minutes in the midst of it all. All I can think is that a romantic comedy finally won Best Picture at the Oscars...and thank heavens for that!!!
Rating: 4 stars