Shakespeare in Love (1998)

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Latest 'Shakespeare in Love' News

John Madden Talks Shakespeare in Love Blu-ray [Exclusive]

The director discusses his experiences on the set of this Best Picture Oscar winner, making its Blu-ray debut January 31.

Jan 30, 2012

Bad Santa and Rounders Sequels Coming from the Weinstein Company

A Shakespeare in Love sequel is also in the works through a partnership with Miramax.

Dec 16, 2010

Critics Score

92%

Release Date

January 29, 1998

Director

John Madden

Writers

Marc Norman
Tom Stoppard

Cast

Geoffrey Rush
Tom Wilkinson
Steven O'Donnell
Tim McMullan
Joseph Fiennes
Steven Beard

Shakespeare in Love Synopsis

It is the summer of 1593, and the rising young star of London's theater scene, Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes), faces a scourge like no other: a paralyzing bout of writer's block. What Will needs is a muse - and in an extraordinary moment in which life imitates art, he finds and falls for a woman who draws him into his own dramatic adventure of star-crossed love.

It all begins when Lady Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), desperate to become an actor at a time when women were forbidden from such depravity, disguises herself as a man to audition for Will's play.' But the guise slips away as their passion ignites. Now Will's quill again begins to flow, this time turning love into words, as Viola becomes his real-life Juliet and Romeo finds his reason to exist. In a whirl of mistaken identities, mixed-up messages and misbegotten desires - between bawdy brawls, duels with jealous husbands and dangerous kisses -- Will Shakespeare searches for a resolution not only to his play but to his own undying passion.