I first watched this film many years ago and had it in high regards then (I have it rated 8 out of 10 stars on IMDB.com). Yet I recently watched it again (for maybe the fourth or fifth time) and have now found it to be all the more masterful. It's funny how sometimes a film, song, or a work of art inspire you at different points in your life. Well that's the case with this original film, set during the Elizabethan era and the height of Shakespearean theater. It's unlike any movie I've seen before as it blends a historical setting with a comedic and romantic twist.
This film was released in 1998, directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. It went on to clean up at the Academy Awards, winning 7 of it's 13 Oscar nominations; including Best Picture, Best Actress (Gwyneth Paltrow), Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), and Best Original Screenplay (Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard). It seems each time I watch this film I enjoy it all the more, for it's romantic, poetic, dramatic, and comedic appeal. Almost every line of dialogue in this film is pure poetry (the essence of Shakespeare). This film has ultimately opened my eyes to the brilliant artistry of William Shakespeare of which I intend to study in another post.
Enter his new found muse, an original character named Viola, who is the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant and a passionate lover of plays. She is the perfect lover for Shakespeare, as she is already very familiar with his work. However there are numerous twists to their love. First that she must disguise herself as a man, named Thomas Kent to perform in his plays. (As was the British law during the time that did not allow women to perform on stage) The 2nd love-barrier is that she is destined to marry a wealthy aristocrat. And finally the 3rd of which we do not discover until later in the story is that Shakespeare himself is also married. Nonetheless the two engage in a very passionate love affair that inspires his tragic play of Romeo and Juliet. After the play is a success their love affair must come to an end, as they part in different ways.
A Dramatic Comedy
The utmost appeal to this film is it's original screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. They've managed to create a story within a story, concerning one of history's most famous poets, William Shakespeare, and one of his most famous works, Romeo and Juliet. In the story, Shakespeare is at the height of his career, already employed by numerous theaters, he is constantly at work. However he finds himself at a writers-block as he begin's his next project, which happens to be the masterpiece of Romeo and Juliet.
Enter his new found muse, an original character named Viola, who is the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant and a passionate lover of plays. She is the perfect lover for Shakespeare, as she is already very familiar with his work. However there are numerous twists to their love. First that she must disguise herself as a man, named Thomas Kent to perform in his plays. (As was the British law during the time that did not allow women to perform on stage) The 2nd love-barrier is that she is destined to marry a wealthy aristocrat. And finally the 3rd of which we do not discover until later in the story is that Shakespeare himself is also married. Nonetheless the two engage in a very passionate love affair that inspires his tragic play of Romeo and Juliet. After the play is a success their love affair must come to an end, as they part in different ways.
The story ultimately gives homage to the brilliance of William Shakespeare. He is portrayed by Joseph Fiennes as a very passionate character. However the story also sheds light on the empowerment of women, such as Queen Elizabeth and the fictional character of Viola. The Queen is portrayed by Judi Dench with the utmost authority and wisdom. The character of Viola, is portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow with a wonderful blend of natural beauty and passionate ambition. She is not afraid to break the rules and challenge the norm as she pursues what it is she loves most, the theater.
The Film's Character's
William Shakespeare, the famous English poet, is played by Joseph Fiennes. The famed playwright is at the rise of his career in London, working for the play company of Lord Chamberlain's Men. At the start of the film he finds himself at a wrtier's bloc, as he begins work on Romeo and Juliet. He is portrayed as a very busy artist, very involved with the theater production of his writings. It is through his new found muse, Viola, that he finds the inspiration to complete the groundbreaking tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
Viola de Lesseps, is a fictional character who serves as lover and muse of Shakespeare. She is played by the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow, who went on to win the Oscar for her courageous and passionate performance. She is a lover of theater as she is a lover of Shakespeare. She breaks the gender norms of the time, by courageously performing on stage as herself.
Philip Henslowe, owner and producer of the Rose Theater, relies on Shakespeare's work to stay in business. He is played by Geoffrey Rush in a very comedic portrayal. While he serves as the boss of the theater, he is often micro-managed by higher investors as well as the playwright himself. While he spends most the film in anxiety, he puts the utmost faith in Shakespeare as in his catch phrase, "I don't know its a mystery."
Lord Wessex, is a fictional character, an aristocrat who is arranged to marry Viola. He is played by Colin Firth. His wealth is struggling so he intends to begin a new fortune in Virginia with the Queen's approval. Queen Elizabeth approves of his new venture as well as his arranged marriage with Viola, however warns him that she is in love with the theater.
Queen Elizabeth I of England is played by Judi Dench, who also went on to win the Oscar for this royal performance. Although she only serves as a supporting character in the film, each of her scenes are very authoritative. From her elaborate costumes, her quick wisdom, and her vocal demeanor she is a true force to be reckoned with.
Ned Alleyn, the popular theater actor is played by Ben Affleck. It is a stereotypical portrayal of a lead actor with far too much ego. It exudes within the Rose theater as he helps Shakespeare, direct and produce the play.
Richard Burbage, owner of the Curtain Theater is played by Martin Clunes. He is the competitor to Philip Henslowe, however has also worked with Shakespeare in the past. When the Rose Theater is disallowed to continue with their production, Burbage offers the play be performed in his theater instead.
Hugh Fennyman, investor to the Rose Theater and the Lord Chamberlain's Men, is played by Thomas Wilkinson. This is another comedic portrayal of a business man, with a ruthless side yet also an appreciation for theater. Shakespeare offers him the minor role of the apothecary.
Christopher Kit Marlow, the famed English playwright, is played by Rupert Everett. It is a minor role, yet still important as Shakespeare uses his name as a cover.
John Webster, famed dramatic playwright is played by Joe Roberts, as a poor lingerer of the Rose Theater. It can be assumed then he went on to start his own successfull with inspiration from Shakespeare.
Will Kemp, famous theater actor is played by Patrick Barlow in a very minimal role. He was one of Shakespeare's frequent players in Lord Chamberlain's Men.
William Shakespeare, the famous English poet, is played by Joseph Fiennes. The famed playwright is at the rise of his career in London, working for the play company of Lord Chamberlain's Men. At the start of the film he finds himself at a wrtier's bloc, as he begins work on Romeo and Juliet. He is portrayed as a very busy artist, very involved with the theater production of his writings. It is through his new found muse, Viola, that he finds the inspiration to complete the groundbreaking tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Viola de Lesseps, is a fictional character who serves as lover and muse of Shakespeare. She is played by the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow, who went on to win the Oscar for her courageous and passionate performance. She is a lover of theater as she is a lover of Shakespeare. She breaks the gender norms of the time, by courageously performing on stage as herself.
Philip Henslowe, owner and producer of the Rose Theater, relies on Shakespeare's work to stay in business. He is played by Geoffrey Rush in a very comedic portrayal. While he serves as the boss of the theater, he is often micro-managed by higher investors as well as the playwright himself. While he spends most the film in anxiety, he puts the utmost faith in Shakespeare as in his catch phrase, "I don't know its a mystery."Lord Wessex, is a fictional character, an aristocrat who is arranged to marry Viola. He is played by Colin Firth. His wealth is struggling so he intends to begin a new fortune in Virginia with the Queen's approval. Queen Elizabeth approves of his new venture as well as his arranged marriage with Viola, however warns him that she is in love with the theater.
Queen Elizabeth I of England is played by Judi Dench, who also went on to win the Oscar for this royal performance. Although she only serves as a supporting character in the film, each of her scenes are very authoritative. From her elaborate costumes, her quick wisdom, and her vocal demeanor she is a true force to be reckoned with.Ned Alleyn, the popular theater actor is played by Ben Affleck. It is a stereotypical portrayal of a lead actor with far too much ego. It exudes within the Rose theater as he helps Shakespeare, direct and produce the play.
Richard Burbage, owner of the Curtain Theater is played by Martin Clunes. He is the competitor to Philip Henslowe, however has also worked with Shakespeare in the past. When the Rose Theater is disallowed to continue with their production, Burbage offers the play be performed in his theater instead.
Hugh Fennyman, investor to the Rose Theater and the Lord Chamberlain's Men, is played by Thomas Wilkinson. This is another comedic portrayal of a business man, with a ruthless side yet also an appreciation for theater. Shakespeare offers him the minor role of the apothecary.
Christopher Kit Marlow, the famed English playwright, is played by Rupert Everett. It is a minor role, yet still important as Shakespeare uses his name as a cover.John Webster, famed dramatic playwright is played by Joe Roberts, as a poor lingerer of the Rose Theater. It can be assumed then he went on to start his own successfull with inspiration from Shakespeare.
Will Kemp, famous theater actor is played by Patrick Barlow in a very minimal role. He was one of Shakespeare's frequent players in Lord Chamberlain's Men.
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