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Poster for Shakespeare in Love

Shakespeare in Love

Seen it?

1998 | 124 min | Romance, History, Comedy, Drama

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 7 Oscars, it made about 12 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics, anyone who wants a laugh and history buffs. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Funny with heart, romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 4 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

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

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 7 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Picture, Academy Awards: Best Actress, Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress, Academy Awards: Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen and 3 more. Won 3 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Screenplay – Motion Picture. Won 2 SAG Awards: Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. Won 4 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Film, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Editing. Won 2 Critics' Choice Awards: Critics' Choice Movie Awards: Best Original Screenplay, Critics' Choice Movie Awards: Breakthrough Artist. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen. Also nominated for 6 more Oscars, 3 more Golden Globes and 11 more BAFTAs. Plus 1 other award.

  • Box office & staying powerVery strong

    $289 million worldwide on a $25 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 513K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Madden

  • Joseph FiennesWill Shakespeare
  • Gwyneth PaltrowViola De Lesseps
  • Geoffrey RushPhilip Henslowe
  • Tom WilkinsonHugh Fennyman
  • Judi DenchQueen Elizabeth
  • Imelda StauntonNurse
  • Colin FirthLord Wessex
  • Ben AffleckNed Alleyn
  • Simon CallowTilney
  • Steven BeardMakepeace