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Shakespeare in Love (1998)

R12/11/1998Romance, History, Comedy2h 3m
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Love is the only inspiration.

Overview

Young Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," before it's even written. When a lovely noblewoman auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love -- and his play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship progresses, Shakespeare's comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

Top Billed Cast

  1. Cast 1

    Joseph Fiennes

    Will Shakespeare

  2. Cast 1

    Gwyneth Paltrow

    Viola De Lesseps

  3. Cast 1

    Geoffrey Rush

    Philip Henslowe

  4. Cast 1

    Tom Wilkinson

    Hugh Fennyman

  5. Cast 1

    Judi Dench

    Queen Elizabeth

  6. Cast 1

    Imelda Staunton

    Nurse

  7. Cast 1

    Colin Firth

    Lord Wessex

  8. Cast 1

    Ben Affleck

    Ned Alleyn

  9. Cast 1

    Simon Callow

    Tilney

Set during the later reign of Engand's Queen Elizabeth, this joyful drama sees poor old William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) having a bit of a creative drought. Lacking ideas and cash, and being pursued by both Richard Burbage (Martin Clunes) and the wonderfully dead pan Geoffrey Rush as Philip Henslowe for work he's supposed to have already penned, things are looking a bit bleak. When Gwyneth Paltrow, an ardent theatre fan prohibited from taking to the stage by virtue of her sex, dresses as "Thomas Kent" and auditions for a part, he sees through the disguise quickly and his creative juices on...