Top notch Film

Rating: 10/10 (22 October 2002)

This extremely cleverly scripted screenplay bears the hallmark of Tom Stoppard's finest work. An excellent idea that playfully presents the life of Shakespeare in an accessible if somewhat fictionalised manner.

Cameo appearances of other noteable renaissance playwrites (such as Marlowe and Webster) add to the intellectual appeal of the film, as does the continual (and often quite subtle) quotation of Shakespeare's own plays within his character's dialogue. All this combined with modern references to Psychiatric treatment and London Taxi Cab drivers (the boatmen on the river Thames) result in a witty and touching cinematic masterpiece.
To cap it all, the Coup-de-grace of the whole production, comes at the climax with one of the finest productions of Romeo and Juliet one could hope to see, acted by some of the finest actors available to Hollywood. If this was released unedited, perhaps as part of a DVD special edition, I would surely buy it.
All in all, a quality movie. Well worth a look.