Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 period romantic comedy film directed by John Madden, written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, and produced by Harvey Weinstein. It stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, and Judi Dench.
The film depicts a fictional love affair involving playwright William Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps while Shakespeare was writing "Romeo and Juliet."
The movie received critical acclaim and was a box office success, grossing $289 million worldwide. It is known for its highly skilled plotting, balancing of comedy and drama, and the high quality of its dialogue, performances, and production design.
Plot
Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 film that depicts a fictional love affair involving playwright William Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps while Shakespeare was writing "Romeo and Juliet." The plot is set in 1593 London, where Shakespeare, a poor playwright, meets Viola, who is engaged to Lord Wessex. They begin a passionate secret affair, which inspires Shakespeare to write "Romeo and Juliet." The film explores the challenges of their romance, including the fact that Shakespeare is already married. The story culminates in the performance of "Romeo and Juliet" and the revelation of Viola's true identity. The film is praised for its wit, romance, and visual appeal.
Trailer
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Cast
- Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola De Lesseps
- Joseph Fiennes as Will Shakespeare
- Geoffrey Rush as Philip Henslowe
- Colin Firth as Lord Wessex
- Ben Affleck as Ned Alleyn
- Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth
- Simon Callow as Tilney, Master of the Revels
- Jim Carter as Ralph Bashford
- Martin Clunes as Richard Burbage
- Antony Sher as Dr. Moth
- Imelda Staunton as Nurse
- Tom Wilkinson as Hugh Fennyman
- Mark Williams as Wabash
Director: John Madden
Writer: Tom Stoppard, Marc Norman
Box Office Gross: $289,317,794
Distributor: Miramax Films
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1998
Release Date (Streaming): APR 21, 2016
Themes
- Love and passion: The film revolves around the passionate love affair between Viola and Shakespeare, which inspires Shakespeare to write "Romeo and Juliet."
- Creativity and inspiration: The movie showcases the creative process of writing a play, the challenges of finding inspiration, and the impact of love on artistic expression.
- Deception and identity: The film delves into the deception surrounding Viola's true identity and her relationship with Lord Wessex.
- The power of words: The film highlights the importance of words, both in the context of love and in the world of theater, where a playwright's words can bring a story to life.
Reception
Shakespeare in Love received critical acclaim for its wit, romance, and visual appeal. The film was a box office success, grossing $289 million worldwide. It was praised for its highly skilled plotting, balancing of comedy and drama, and the high quality of its dialogue, performances, and production design.
Challenges faced
- Bringing a fictional love affair to life: The film depicts a passionate secret affair between Viola and Shakespeare, which requires convincing performances from the actors and believable on-screen chemistry.
- Balancing comedy and drama: The film needed to balance the romantic and comedic elements of the story while maintaining the dignity of Shakespeare's work and the historical context.
- Authenticity in the portrayal of Shakespeare: The film aimed to provide an authentic portrayal of Shakespeare, his work, and the world in which he lived, which required meticulous research and attention to detail in set design, costumes, and makeup.
- Managing a large ensemble cast: The film featured a large cast of talented actors, which required careful coordination and collaboration during the shooting process.
Settings
- 1593 London: The film was set in the historic City of London during Shakespeare's time, with scenes filmed in various locations, including the Globe Theatre and the Palace of Whitehall.
- Stratford-upon-Avon: The film also showcased the picturesque town of Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born and where he spent most of his life.
Visual Styles & Techniques
- Costume design: The film used intricate and detailed costumes to recreate the historical setting of 1593 London, reflecting the social class and status of the characters.
- Set design: The sets were meticulously designed to resemble the streets of 1593 London, the Globe Theatre, and the Palace of Whitehall, providing an authentic feel of the time.
- Lighting: The film used soft, warm lighting to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere, highlighting the passion between Viola and Shakespeare.
- Cinematography: The [camera](@leoglossary/leoglossary-camera0 work was carefully crafted to capture the nuances of the performances and the intricate set designs, ensuring a visually appealing and immersive experience.
Trivia & Fun Facts
- The film's production budget was a mere $25 million, which was a significant challenge for the crew and cast to work within.
- The film was released in 1998, making it one of the few Shakespeare adaptations to be produced in the late 20th century.
- The film's screenplay was written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, both of whom were experienced playwrights, which contributed to the film's authentic portrayal of Shakespeare's work and the world in which he lived.
- The film's editor, David Minghetti, had previously worked on several other Shakespeare adaptations, including "Romeo and Juliet" and "Macbeth".
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