A decent romance, beautiful costumes and set, fluff plot impossible to Shakespeare's life

Rating: 4/10 (22 March 2006)

It's not that this is a bad movie. In fact, the costumes are great, very few inaccuracies and those that are are understandable, and lots of historical attention to detail. And the love story is somewhat endearing. It got my heart racing at various parts, but I was just disappointed with the ending. I suppose I was a bit annoyed b/c there's no way to tell if Will's writing is happening to come true (hehe, in which case, she'll be rapidly eaten by something, and not Will) or if he's just envisioning. I'd just assume the latter except that the detail and American look of the wilderness says otherwise. Also, Shakespeare's hair and beard were just stupid, as was his earring. What was w/ the other two guys w/ one dangly pearl earring? Were they just there b/c Joseph refused to take his out so they wanted it to look normal for the time? The stage costumes amused me b/c they were close to accurate for "Romeo and Juiet", but Shakespearian actors just wore their everyday clothing for peasants and bought used stuff from nobles for royalty, which would still be modern. Also, I was a bit nonplussed by the amount of nudity. I don't mind it; I didn't like it either. That's not the way you're supposed to feel of nudity if they bother to put it in there, y'know? I got a serious giggle out of Viola's wig! As a wig-loving actress, there is no WAY she got her hair under that wig in the story. Did they have spirit gum at the time? The one guy w/ fake facial hair within the play had it tie on, but she stuck hers on...maybe she just could b/c she had more money. The costumes were way too expensive for either of the troupes.