Romantic Bard

Rating: 8/10 (14 April 2005)

The first time I viewed Shakespeare In Love, it was a romantic evening, and I think I got lucky. At my age, I don't always remember. Anyhow, the babe and I thought handsome Joseph Fiennes a romantic young Bard, and his impossible, indeed, star-crossed love, Gwenth Paltrow, delightful. For us fellows that have taken up the pen, Shake is a hero, and we're more than willing to imagine our less talented egos upon the master; therefore, making our pathetic literary dreams come true for at least ninety minutes.
The second time around on DVD, ah, a popular Academy Award Winner it still is, but I had more reservations. You see, I began to desire the real thing. I wanted to see the actual play. I loved the set of the old Curtain Playhouse. I wanted to see Romeo and Juliet as the 1946, Olivia production, Henry V, had duplicated a Globe presentation.
The problem, a lesser farce has been pinned to a great work of art. It's not the writer, Tom Stoppard's fault. I panned his Brazil, but I give him marks for a clever recreation of olden times and a romanticized Shakespeare, interesting.
Oh, Paltrow's hair, long and flowing in her family mansion, short, boy cut on stage, I don't get it. She wears a long hair wig at home? However, later on stage, her long hair is exposed. You couldn't hide all those locks under a short haircut.