Shakespeare in Love (1998)

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William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is on a cold streak. Not only is he writing for Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush), owner of "The Rose," a theatre whose doors are about to be closed by sadistic creditors, but he's got a nasty case of writer's block. Shakespeare hasn't written a hit in years. In fact, he hasn't written much of anything recently. Thus, the Bard finds himself in quite a bind when Henslowe, desperate to stave off another round of hot-coals-to-feet application, stakes The Rose's solvency on Shakespeare's new comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter." The problem is, "Romeo" is safely "locked away" in Shakespeare's head, which is to say that not a word of it is written. Meanwhile, the lovely Lady Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) is an ardent theatre-goer -- scandalous for a woman of her breeding -- who especially admires Shakespeare's plays and, not incidentally, Bill himself. Alas, she's about to be sold as property into a loveless marriage by her mercenary father and shipped off to a Virginia tobacco plantation. But not before dressing up as a young man and winning the part of Romeo in the embryonic play. Shakespeare soon discovers the deception and goes along with it, using the blossoming love affair to ignite his muse. As William and Viola's romance grows in intensity and spirals towards its inevitable culmination, so, too, does the farcical comedy about Romeo and pirates transform into the timeless tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet. ~ Merle Bertrand, All Movie Guide

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

122 mins

Complete Cast:

Director(s):

John Madden

Writer(s):

Tom Stoppard, Marc Norman

Producer(s):

David Parfitt, Edward Zwick, Harvey Weinstein

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Suitable for Teens, Nudity, Sexual Situations, Questionable for Children)

Categories:

Romance

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• 1999 - Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Bear for Outstanding Individual Performance
• 1999 - Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Bear for Outstanding Individual Performance
• 1998 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Original Screenplay
• 1998 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Breakthrough Performer
• 1998 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Original Screenplay
• 1998 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Most Promising Actor
• 1998 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 1998 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 1998 - Golden Globe - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1998 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1998 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Screenplay
• 1998 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1998 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Screenplay
• 1998 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 1998 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Supporting Actress
• 1998 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
• 1998 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
• 1998 - Screen Actors Guild - Best Actress
• 1998 - Screen Actors Guild - Best Ensemble Acting
• 1998 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Actress - Runner-up