Comedy > D Comedy > 15 years and over > Oscar

Advantages: Excellent Cast, Amusing
Disadvantages: Slightly Weak Plot, Slow To Get Going

...that explores the notion that Shakespeare wasn't that great a writer and was, in fact, simply a lusty man ever in search of a muse - or, in other words, a woman to lay that might, if he's lucky, give him some inspiration for a new play. I kind of like his style, actually. Trying to write "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," Shakespeare - played by Joseph Fiennes - discovers he's suffering from writer's block, a phenomenon known to many of us ...
...appease both her desire for Shakespeare and the stage itself, Viola takes to the boards as a young boy and plays the part of Romeo in Will's new play. Shakespeare himself discovers quickly that this new muse has, indeed, unlocked his writer's block and he starts to write his new play, helped by the input of his financially depressed theatre owner, Hugh Fennyman (played by Tom Wilkinson) and his lead actor, Ned Alleyn, who ultimately suggests a new ... Read review

Advantages: Quite funny
Disadvantages: Too 80s. Doesn't stand up to Mrs. Doubtfire

The cover of this film looks crap and the name sounds crap even the blurb sounded crap but in my quest to watch all movies with Bill Murray I gave it a go. The film is about Michael Doresey (Dustin Hoffman) an out of work actor who is just too good at what he does. He doesn't get on with directors because he finds them stupid and as a result can't get any work. His friend Sandy (Teri Garr) takes him along to an audition with her and Doresey sees ...
...preceding him. He dresses up as a woman and gets the part, immediately becoming a hit. Strangely his character plays a very strong female role. He ad-libs his lines and as a result he ends up making the show alot less sexist and the female cast start looking to him for advice. This leads to poblems as he starts to fall for Julie (Jessica Lange) who has started to look on him as almost a mother figure as well as her father who has his eyes set on ... Read review

Advantages: A movie with it all
Disadvantages: None

...it strikes me that 1998's Shakespeare In Love is an incredibly misunderstood movie, furthermore those that are in the category "misunderstood" have some serious wrong views of exactly what Shakespeare In Love is about, many believe it is a straight laced romance. From first viewing 8 years ago it has become one of my favourite movies; a great romance, an epic tale, a intriguing romance, and last but not least a hysterical sense of humour. The owner ...
...get dried up author William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) to write a new play "Romeo And Ethel The Pirate's Daughter!" Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) also has similar worries to Henslow, while wanting to become an actress (or at the least an actor) she finds herself due to be married off to Lord Wessex (Colin Firth). The dawning of a new play by Shakespeare and the knowledge that women are not allowed to act; Viola develops a character a pseudonym in fact ... Read review

Advantages: Great story, great performances
Disadvantages: none!

...comedy with a bit of Shakespeare thrown in for good measure! The story is set around the writing of the Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet. It uses genuinely laugh out loud moments and also moments that will bring a tear to your eye to tell the story of how young Will meets Viola and makes her his muse for the famous play. The cast is filled with stars and the sets, costumes and music are outstanding. You don't have to be a lover of Shakespeare ... Read review

Advantages: Great storyline
Disadvantages: None

...Despite this, her relationship with Shakespeare continues - and inspires him to write the play Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare struggles to cast the roles of the play and finds himself working with a group of hapless actors. However, as his love life blossoms, his play begins to flourish. However, Lady Viola is disguised as a boy and plays the role of Romeo, and is exposed as a girl. This threatens to destory the play, as they now have no Romeo and ...
...dressed as a woman and Shakespeare plays Romeo and they act out their love on stage infront of Elizabeth herself. The play receives a fantastic reception and Queen Elizabeth herself is also impressed. However as soon as the play finishes Viola has to leave England to start her life with her wealthy husband and this leads to an emotional farewell between her and Shakespeare. As well as being very emotional and moving, this film is also really funny. ... Read review