Shakespeare in Love: Critic Reviews

At first, the breakneck pace is entertaining (all these people knocking themselves out for our pleasure), but it soon becomes evident just how inane a film this is.

It's a literary burlesque, remarkably clever and quick on its feet. It is ardently romantic but is at its best when it is funny. And it's funny.

It's easy to suspend disbelief and embrace this historically creative fiction, whose clever relationship to what's known and what's unresolved is part of what makes it so intriguing and so romantic.

Accessible, entertaining and fun for modern audiences. Exquisitely acted, tightly directed and impressively assembled, this lively period piece is the kind of arty gem with potentially broad appeal that Miramax certainly knows how to sell.

Seems the Bard is badly blocked.

Result resembles one of Neil Simon's middlebrow romps more than it does As You Like It.

A happy conceit smoothly executed, this is one of those entertaining confections that's so pleasing to the eye and ear you'd have to be a genuine Scrooge to struggle against it.

A cleverly scripted reworking of a period comedy.

Wastes no time setting itself up as a rowdy, colloquial piece of popular entertainment -- the furthest thing from a fussy biopic of the Bard.

It is clear that everyone in the film is having a great time with the material, and it is contagious.

Henslowe may be onto something when he jokes that all audiences want is love and a bit with the dog, but this film delivers much more.

A sumptuous fictional glimpse into the creative mind of one of history's most brilliant theatrical minds.

A rare crowd pleasing movie that's smartly written and splendidly acted, representing a combination of poetry, art, and entertainment that does justice to the Bard's own comedies.

It's the performances which push this to a very high level.

It's Tom Stoppard's witty, intelligent script which proves so satisfying.

Shakespeare in Love moves fast, and may deserve multiple viewings. It's a delicious feast of lowbrow and highbrow mixed with romance.

The matter of fact telling of just how young Will got many of his ideas is leavened with all the elements of great film and [director John] Madden balances them all with grace, style and skill.

Although Shakespeare in Love benefits from a delightful screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard -- and a flattering one, for viewers who can congratulate themselves on recognizing this or that tatter of the Bard -- the film's virtues peter out.

It has powerful language and a wealth of talent as its distinguishing marks, but it shies away, curiously, from poetry, subtlety, and art whenever the lovers embrace, and we're left with no heroes or heroines worth swooning for.

A nothing movie. Gossamer-thin, the slightest breeze will blow it from our collective memories.

The greatest enjoyment of the film is for those who are familiar with Shakespeare's plays.

A tale of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.

It is a mature, adult romantic comedy, with enough swashbuckling, humor and love scenes to keep everyone interested.

Shakespeare In Love is funny, tragic, romantic... I love it; should I count the ways?

John Madden's first film after the stately but exceptionally closed-off Mrs. Brown is as lively and engaging a comedy as one could want from the inspired material.