Hardly deserving of 13 Oscar nominations and 7 Oscars, this film is nevertheless an entertaining bit of fluff. I will also concede that it is well written, directed and edited. Slyly written by Shakespeare scholar Tom Stoppard (with Marc Norman), Shakespeare in Love speculates on the creation of Romeo and Juliet (originally titled Romeo and Ethel the Pirate’s Daughter). There are lots of clever jokes and references, so check your notes from school beforehand for maximum impact.
Shakespeare in Love
***published February 18, 1999