A review by Mike Shea Movie Rating: ( * * * * · ) DVD Rating: ( * * * * · )
Buy Shakespeare In Love from Amazon.com
I wasnt sure what to expect with this movie. Sure it made a huge splash at the last Oscars, but could it live up to the hype? Well, having heard a lot of stories to the negative, I went in expecting a lot less that what I got. First off, the first hour of the movie plays out like a perfect episode of Threes Company with a proper mix of crossdressing and misunderstood plot points. The second half actually covered the best ground with some harder facts of love and a lot better acting. Even with the sit-com like beginning, I was still ready to watch the rest and was happy to do so, it really is a good time. Gwyneth Paltrow does a decent job throughout but really shines near the end, though she is no match for Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth. Joseph Fiennes also does a great job with his stern look and quick powerful walk, though he still was outshined by himself in Elizabeth. The same is also true with Geoffrey Rush who is the comic relief in Shakespeare but is an absolute patriotic demon in Elizabeth. Ok, so it is no question which movie I liked better, but Shakespeare really is a good flick. The DVD is Miramaxs first real transfer with a 16x9 enhanced 2.35 to 1 picture and a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Unfortunately there arent any real extras. Overall, quite a fun film, but not near as good as if it had taken itself a little more seriously.