Shakespeare in Love (1998), directed by John Madden, is a fictional film about the forbidden love of the greatest playwright of all time, William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) and a noblewoman, Viola de Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) in Elizabethan era. The film won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actress (Gwyneth Paltrow), Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench), Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Best Art Direction – set decoration, Best Costume Design and Best Music.
As the film begins, we see William Shakespeare, who is struggling to complete his latest play, Romeo and Ethyl, the Pirate’s Daughter. His sponsor and the Rose Theatre owner, is impatient for the play to be completed so he can pay off his debts from the profit.
Next, we are introduced to Viola De Lesseps, the daughter of a nouveau riche nobleman and the passion for poetry and theatre that led her to become an actor. But in Elizabethan England, women were not permitted to perform on stage. Viola hides herself as Thomas Kent and auditions for a part in Shakespeare’s unfinished play while her parents are gone away for a month. Shakespeare casts Thomas as Romeo after being pleased with his abilities.
Her father plans to marry her off to the arrogant Lord Wessex. Gradually, Shakespeare falls in love with Viola and he rewrites his play into ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ He soon realises, that Viola is actually Thomas Kent. However, he tells no one, and they have a passionate love affair and Shakespeare makes no mention to her that he is already married.
A little boy, the future playwright we know as John Webster, stalks around the theatre, spying on the cast when he realises Thomas is Viola, he alerts the magistrate. The Rose gets forced to shut down by soldiers and Viola escapes from the theatre.
Following this, Richard Burbage, owner of a rival theatre, offers his stage for Shakespeare’s play. However, the actor who plays Juliet falls ill and is unable to say his lines. Knowing this, Viola abandons her wedding carriage to attend the theatre, where she takes up the role of Juliet. Their love is once again revoked through the main characters of Romeo and Juliet.
The play becomes a huge success, and the Queen declares Shakespeare with a reward of 50-pounds. However, Viola gives Shakespeare the money but is forced to flee to Virginia with Wessex.
The incidents lead Shakespeare to write the play ‘The Twelfth Night’ that is inspired by Viola. With great performances from the actors, set, plot, Elizabethan theatre, playhouse, and cinematography, the film stands as a masterpiece for those who love theatre, literature, and, of course, Shakespeare.
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