Shakespeare In Love MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

Joseph Fiennes plays troubled author William Shakespeare in this fictional tale of the writing of ROMEO AND JULIET. Young William has been suffering from writers block and is desperately looking for ideas for his current play ROMEO AND ETHEL, THE PIRAT'E'S DAUGHTER. Unhappy with the title and his few plot ideas, William stalls his creditors by promising them an adventurous comedy. But William finds his inspiration after meeting and falling in love with Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), a beautiful young lady engaged to be married. Further complications arise when Viola disguises herself as a man to fulfill her forbidden desire of being an actor. The events surrounding Williams new forbidden romance provides him with the material to write the worlds greatest romantic tragedy, ROMEO AND JULIET. An extremely clever plot and the wonderful performances of Fiennes and Paltrow will captivate and entertain adult audiences. Unfortunately, Shakespeare only attracts a limited audience. But those who are familiar with Shakespeare's writings will love this clever romantic comedy.

Set in London in 1593, this film avoids the use of any offensive language. It does, however, use some very subtle sexual innuendoes in the dialog. The film also has scattered moderate violence and portrays swordplay without any injuries. And while this violence may disturb young viewers, it is not exploitive and is only a minor part of the plot. The films true downfall are a few graphic sex scenes that the producers felt necessary to portray a romance between William and Viola. These scenes of sexual intimacy portray female breast nudity and graphic motions. Since this sexual relationship between William and Viola occurs outside of marriage and is portrayed favorably, the film openly condones immoral behavior. With graphic sex scenes, female breast nudity and condoned extra marital sex, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE falls short of our recommendation.

Preview Reviewer: Rik Wyrick
Distributor: Miramax Films, 99 Hudson St., 9th Floor, New York, NY, 10013