What's all the fuss about?

Rating: 6/10 (3 March 1999)

It's all so much hype. Just where was this magical cinematic event of the year that I was led to expect?
The story was predictable, the plot contrived, the various developments so obvious you could see them a mile off. The film was saved only by its cast - a tremendous ensemble, with some surprisingly good performances from unexpected quarters, some good British comedians showing well on the big screen and Paltrow and Affleck putting on some half decent British accents. (And if she and Dame Judi can get Oscar nominations, then why not one for Joseph Fiennes?)
With, at points, every other line being a quote from one Shakespeare play or another, why couldn't the material have been better?
Overall, the hype made this a very disappointing film, which is a shame as it wasn't all that bad.