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Zimbio Review - 'Shakespeare in Love' (Blu-Ray)

By Joe Robberson on

(Bauer Griffin, Getty Images)

The Bottom Line
Should you see it?
Yes.

Why?
Dramatic, witty, and romantic, the film offers something for everyone, even Shakespearean intellectuals.
Graced with a profound wit and a beautiful screenplay which seamlessly merges history with fiction, Shakespeare in Love remains a true modern masterpiece. Available now in high definition on Blu-ray, the film has never looked or sounded better.

Set in the late 16th century England, the story follows the young actor-turned-playwright, Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) as he struggles with "a broken quill" and searches for inspiration. Director John Madden packs every scene with marvelous detail from start to finish and crafts his own Shakespearean drama, layering each scene with characters and storylines so rich, the film cannot truly be enjoyed without multiple viewings.

The beginning of the film introduces us to the age and immediately makes connections to the present day. We find the irrepresable Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush) with his feet to the fire (literally) as Fennyman (Tom Wilkinson) demands restitution for 16 pounds. Henslowe owns The Rose, the (now) legendary theater, and is obviously struggling to make ends meet. From Shakespeare's time to today, the theater is, at its heart, a business. Without the money, the show cannot go on.

In the featurette accompanying the Blu-ray, Shakespeare in Love and on Film, Madden discusses the 22 buildings, including two theaters, the construction crews built on the set. The film makes use of all these buildings, moving effortlessly from one to another while tracking through the busy streets where many of the film's main characters come in and out of shots. Again, the detail here is truly impressive. One gets a sense of the period itself and what it may have been like to be Shakespeare himself.

The Oscar-winning costumes by Sandy Powell are another under-appreciated facet of the attention to detail of the time. Also in the featurette, Powell explains how Henslowe was likely "a one-suit man" and how each character played into her thinking for the costumes.

As the story progresses, we are introduced to

Shakespeare's muse, Viola DeLesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow), a rich man's daughter who loves poetry, the playhouse, and Shakespeare above all. She defies convention by auditioning for Shakespeare's newest play, Romeo & Ethel the Pirate's Daughter (a working title) dressed as a boy. Will eventually discovers her ruse and instantly falls in love with her at a dance when he sees her dressed as a woman.

The genius of the screenplay and Madden's work comes to the forefront now as Shakespeare is inspired by his new found love to craft what will become Romeo & Juliet. In the Blu-ray commentary, Madden discusses the motif of sleep and dreaming, a sharp allusion to the ending of the play itself. There are subtle details like this that Shakespearean fans will appreciate.

While the film is impressively intellectual, it also manages to stay grounded enough to work as a love story for the layman. This may be Madden's finest accomplishment. Shakespeare is considered "work" for many and especially the American public. The dialogue is especially relatable, while offering more than enough depth to work on more profound levels.

Movie-goers familiar with Shakespeare and the Elizabethan era will appreciate all the real-life tributes of the movie. The film offeres an explanation why Christopher Marlowe's (Rupert Everett) trip to Deptford was ill-fated. The controversy of the playhouses staying open remains the will of Queen Elizabeth (Judi Dench in her Oscar-winning role) as she explains to Viola in one scene, the plays are put on for her. Ben Affleck has a fantastic turn as the star of the stage, Ned Alleyn, whose pomp and confidence steal every scene he's in. My favorite detail, however, is the character of young John Webster (Joe Roberts), who plays a street rogue and eventually becomes Shakespeare's nemesis. Webster would grow up to write The Duchess of Malfi.

The star-crossed nature of Will and Viola's relationship lies in her duty to Lord Wessex (Colin Firth), a lordly creep who Viola's father has promised her to. Wessex will marry Viola and take her to Virginia for a life in the new world. Shakespeare's sadness at this revelation becomes the impetus for his turning Romeo & Juliet into a tragedy. Madden mentions in the commentary the "darkening musical texture" of Stephen Warbeck's original score as the two lovers discuss their doomed affair. The corollary works perfectly as the film reaches its conclusion.

The end of Shakespeare in Love is truly wonderful. Staying true to the story, Viola and Will are destined to separate, but not without a farewell. This comes in the form of Will's iconic play as the two lovers play the title roles in a production staged in Richard Burbage's (Martin Clune) Curtain Theater.

The round theater is packed with the townspeople and gives an authentic glimpse of what a Shakespearean production may actually have looked like. The play goes off magnificently with Warbeck's score dancing in the background. All the players of the film are in one place as each character is given a final scene to shine.

The film even gives a glimpse of the bright futures of the two protagonists as Will now has a "heroine for all time" in Viola and he pays tribute to her in his next work: Twelfth Night. The film closes with a final magnificent shot of Viola walking alone on the beach as she arrives in America. All the world is before her, and for her future.

(inset images: iMDB & Amazon.com)

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