Fluffy Romance

Rating: 7/10 (30 December 2011)

In this romantic comedy-drama, Shakespeare falls in love with a young woman and is inspired to write "Romeo and Juliet." The period is nicely evoked and it is a pleasant enough film, although hardly worthy of the Best Picture Oscar. The weighty subject matter makes it appear to be more than the fluff that it is. Paltrow radiates charm and does a decent British accent. In the silly tradition of Clark Kent and his glasses, she puts on a mustache and nobody recognizes her, including her lover. Fiennes is OK if a bit too brooding as the bard. It's strange seeing Affleck among the fine cast of British actors, but he does not embarrass himself. Dench hams it up as Queen Elizabeth.