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Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:101
Fresh:94
Rotten:7
Average Rating:8.1/10
Consensus: An delightful romantic comedy that succeeds at every level.
Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: In this well-conceived Elizabethan comedy, writers Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman ask the question: Who was William Shakespeare's muse? The answer: Viola de Lesseps, a young noblewoman who dreams of... [More]
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Ben Affleck
Director: John Madden
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Reviews for Shakespeare in Love
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
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A cleverly scripted reworking of a period comedy. Full Review |
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Accessible, entertaining and fun for modern audiences. Exquisitely acted, tightly directed and impressively assembled, this lively period piece is the kind of arty gem with potentially broad appeal that Miramax certainly knows how to sell. Full Review |
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5/5 |
Wastes no time setting itself up as a rowdy, colloquial piece of popular entertainment -- the furthest thing from a fussy biopic of the Bard. Full Review |
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4/4 |
It is clear that everyone in the film is having a great time with the material, and it is contagious. Full Review |
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3.5/4 |
Henslowe may be onto something when he jokes that all audiences want is love and a bit with the dog, but this film delivers much more. Full Review |
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It's easy to suspend disbelief and embrace this historically creative fiction, whose clever relationship to what's known and what's unresolved is part of what makes it so intriguing and so romantic. Full Review |
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3.5/4 |
A sumptuous fictional glimpse into the creative mind of one of history's most brilliant theatrical minds. Full Review |
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A- |
A rare crowd pleasing movie that's smartly written and splendidly acted, representing a combination of poetry, art, and entertainment that does justice to the Bard's own comedies. Full Review |
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3/4 |
It's the performances which push this to a very high level. Full Review |
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It's Tom Stoppard's witty, intelligent script which proves so satisfying. Full Review |
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3.5/4 |
Shakespeare in Love moves fast, and may deserve multiple viewings. It's a delicious feast of lowbrow and highbrow mixed with romance. Full Review |
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It's a literary burlesque, remarkably clever and quick on its feet. It is ardently romantic but is at its best when it is funny. And it's funny. Full Review |
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A |
The matter of fact telling of just how young Will got many of his ideas is leavened with all the elements of great film and [director John] Madden balances them all with grace, style and skill. Full Review |
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Although Shakespeare in Love benefits from a delightful screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard -- and a flattering one, for viewers who can congratulate themselves on recognizing this or that tatter of the Bard -- the film's virtues peter out. Full Review |
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B+ |
It has powerful language and a wealth of talent as its distinguishing marks, but it shies away, curiously, from poetry, subtlety, and art whenever the lovers embrace, and we’re left with no heroes or heroines worth swooning for. Full Review |
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A nothing movie. Gossamer-thin, the slightest breeze will blow it from our collective memories.
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7/10 |
The greatest enjoyment of the film is for those who are familiar with Shakespeare's plays. Full Review |
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3.5/4 |
A tale of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. Full Review |
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B+ |
It is a mature, adult romantic comedy, with enough swashbuckling, humor and love scenes to keep everyone interested. Full Review |
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4/4 |
Click to read the article Full Review |
CommentLatest News for Shakespeare in Love
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