Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Shakespeare In Love

Shakespeare In Love is an often maligned film for defeating Saving Private Ryan, though it was the other World War II epic that deserved the notice above all but I digress. As is often the case hatred is blinding since the film has some clearly exceptional qualities. The production design, costumes and score are all magnificent. Now there is something a bit odd about the film for me. In that I rather like the elements, that don't really have anything to do with the with IN LOVE part of the title. I thoroughly enjoy the world created around the Globe theater with the actors, and the money men. There is a lot of fun to be had there. It is the film's more serious minded elements I find less successful, though not really bad either. A major problem is Joseph Fiennes is not a terribly charismatic actor and does not carry us with the sort of ease of a truly great romantic lead. The romantic plot has some stodgy bits particularly in regards to Colin Firth in a thankless role as a one note villain. Again I don't believe these elements to be terrible, and there is fun to be had here. An all time great best picture winner, no, but a bad film, also no.
3.5/5

4 comments:

Deiner said...

100% percent agree with you. I really don't know why this film gets so many hate, and I also agree with your bit about the Globe theater being far more interesting than the love story.

Calvin Law said...

I love this film and would easily give it the win over Ryan. Although I do love the IN LOVE section of the film too.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

I actually really like this one. I think it's a charming love story and I don't even mind Joseph Fiennes' performance.

Calvin Law said...

I actually kind of love Fiennes in it.