Good but overrrated

Rating: Null/10 (2 August 1999)

This movie is a visual treat and I loved seeing "Romeo and Juliet" acted out at the end. Gwyneth Paltrow was a treat as usual (she is indeed "the muse of Mirimax films"), and Ben Affleck, Geoffrey Rush and Judi Densch were hysterical in supporting roles.
However, I think this film was overrated. I didn't think Ms. Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes had chemistry (I could have done without all the bedroom scenes). I don't think it should have won the Oscar over "Saving Private Ryan". I think Meryl Streep (as a mother stricken with terminal cancer in "One True Thing") and Cate Blanchett (as Queen Elizabeth) had stronger, tougher roles to play and were more deserving of the Oscar than Ms. Paltrow.
But it is worth a look, and is an entertaining story.