Miss Paltrow again turns in a luminescent performance. It is easy to picture her as the inspirational prototype of a Juliet, Viola, Ophelia, Rosaline, Portia, or any of Shakespeare s heroines. Here she plays a woman who out of a love for the theater, dresses like a man so she may audition for Shakespeare s new play during a time when women were not allowed on the stage. Through her eyes, we see and can appreciate the full magnificence of Shakespeare s work. But it is the words that give this film its real strength and power.
Words do have power.
The power to hurt and the power to heal. Words may incite riots, topple nations, ruin lives and reputations. They may also be used to build empires, inspire acts of courage and bravery, place within a man s soul the aspiration to be a nobler creature. It is why God instructs us to consider our words before we speak. Everything we say has an impact.