Director: John Madden
Starring: Ben Affleck, Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a career as iconic as Ben Affleck. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Affleck has become a strong icon. Whether it’s bold bank robbers, the prime suspects of murders or CIA officers, Affleck has portrayed several bold characters. Arguably, Affleck’s finest strength as an actor has always been his powerful presence. He is one of those actors that has always had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Affleck has often left a strong impression. Through abilities to portray characters that prove compelling, Affleck has built a legacy that’s lasting. An actor with bold commitment to his craft, Affleck has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout his enduring career, Affleck has made many films that are absolutely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a big fan of Affleck and adore all films that he has made. However, “Shakespeare in Love” is my favourite. Released back in 1998, John Madden’s movie offered a beautiful tribute to Shakespeare. Packed with strong production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest period pieces ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ben Affleck, who embodies a court jester that forms a strong friendship with a poet. Ultimately, what makes “Shakespeare in Love” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about poets, it tackles bold themes that everyone will relate to. A riveting period piece, there are several strong reasons why “Shakespeare in Love” is a movie which is worth seeing.
“Shakespeare in Love” tells the story of a poet that falls in love. Joseph Fiennes portrays Will Shakespeare, a legendary poet with the talent for creating stories about which people always care. Shakespeare has always focused intently on his poetry without any time on the world for any romantic relationships causing adversities. However, Shakespeare’s life changes when he falls into a forbidden love affair which causes a disaster. Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a beautiful woman with a dream of success. Shakespeare and Viola get along extremely well together in a romantic relationship without any problems. As their forbidden love affair becomes public, Shakespeare is forced to question whether it is possible to be a writer which is iconic. Facing despair, Shakespeare questions his love for an art form about which he once in the past used to care.
John Madden is a newcomer to the stories of Shakespeare. Before he made “Shakespeare in Love”, Madden had never made a film about the legendary poet. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to celebrate a powerful poet’s legacy, but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Madden captures a poet on a journey to find his identity. Recalling Ang Lee’s “Sense & Sensibility”, Madden uses montages to capture sense and sensibility of a poet on a journey. For instance, montages enhance the poetry scene. During this unforgettable scene, Shakespeare seeks to prepare his first story in detail. Through captivating montages, Madden honours an icon that’s inspiring. Montages are complex techniques to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” demonstrated, montages enhance murder mysteries films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Using stunning visuals, Madden captures tension which poets are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Shakespeare in Love” that deserves recognition is production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Madden expertly uses costumes to capture the tensions that poets are enduring. Throughout the movie, Shakespeare’s clothes showcase his job as a poet. For instance, the costumes enhance the play rehearsal scene. During this unforgettable scene, Shakespeare seeks to prepare for a play with assistance of his crew. Through stunning costumes, Madden constructs a portrait of poets that’s engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Stephen Warbeck’s commemorated music is key to success of the movie. It gives the movie warm atmosphere honouring the legacy of Shakespeare. Through phenomenal production, Madden honours the lives of commemorated poets facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Shakespeare in Love” is a film about poets which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and deftly uses dramatic monologues to capture lives of poets seeking recognition. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the love confession scene. During this intense scene, Shakespeare confesses his strong love for Viola by an emotional monologue. Through strong dramatic monologues, Madden crafts a portrait of Shakespeare which audiences can relate to. Dramatic monologues aren’t simple to use in films. As Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting” suggested, monologues often elevate coming-of-age dramas. Ben Affleck’s “Argo” demonstrated that monologues enhance CIA thrillers. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Madden honours a poet that penned an iconic play.
One admires astonishing performances.
Ben Affleck delivers one of his finest career performances as Ned Alleyn. Affleck first earned appreciation for playing survivors of armageddon disasters. With “Shakespeare in Love”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray a court jester that forms a friendship with a legendary poet but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Affleck has often excelled at portraying emotional heroes that are under pressure, and “Shakespeare in Love” showcased his strength as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a courtroom jester facing tensions. It’s a strong performance from one of the greatest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Ben Affleck, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of appreciation. Joseph Fiennes is fantastic, capturing the heroic personality of a poet seeking to publish stories that are iconic. Gwyneth Paltrow it’s powerful, bringing sorrow to a woman that falls in love with a legendary poet in doomed relationships at a crushing low. Lastly, Judi Dench merits appreciation. As a majestic queen, she brings sense of authority to the movie.
Finally, “Shakespeare in Love” would earn the appreciation of everyone to capturing poets in love. Unlike most Shakespeare movies, the film discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. It tackles relatable themes including ambition, doomed love and poetry that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Shakespeare’s plays to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding doomed love which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “Shakespeare in Love” is one of those rare movies about poets everyone will adore.
Fans of Ben Affleck would definitely appreciate “Shakespeare in Love” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting period piece about Shakespeare, it celebrates an actor’s career.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking period piece celebrating the legacy of Shakespeare, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a long-lasting career through his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies about which audiences deeply care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 