Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Shakespeare in Love (1998), directed by John Madden.

My heart belongs to older films and I don't find many recent ones that reward repeat viewings. This is one of those from recent decades that I love as much as the classics. It's both literary and light, which is an accomplishment in itself.

One wonders what the first performance of each of the plays was like. I wanted them to bring everyone back for a series, doing a new play each time. Really.

We know that music and dance can have sexual meaning, but here are examples where verse, recited with the proper rhythm and cadence, can accomplish the same thing. We also have a link between artistic creation and sexual potency, which is something to think about.

Favorite line: (Boatman) "I've seen you in something. That one about a king."

The players:

Exhilarating score by Stephen Warbeck, but the Queen's fireworks music is about 100 years too early.

"Rated R for sexuality", partly from two scenes with Mistress Rosaline.

Available on Blu-ray. The movie looks better to me with every viewing.

http://watershade.net/public/shakespeare-in-love.jpg