Academy Awards 101: 'Shakespeare in Love' won best picture in 1998

July 9, 1:01 PMA&E 101 ExaminerEthan Demby

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Winning best picture at the 71st Aacdemy Awards in 1998, Shakespeare in Love was directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman. 

This delightful movie is a tribute to Shakespeare and one of his most revered pieces of work, Romeo and Juliet. 

William Shakespeare, played by Joseph Fiennes, is in the midst of a painful writer's block when he begins casting for his upcoming play, Romeo and Juliet.  The story picks up with the introduction of Viola de Lesseps, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.  Shakespeare and Lesseps commence a forbidden affair of a poor playwrite and a rich merchant's daughter.  The affair is verboten and finally put to rest after Queen Elizabeth I orders Viola de Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) to take up with her previously engaged marriage by deporting her to Virginia.  Shakespeare then vows to dedicate the main player in his next play, Twelfth Night, Or What You Will, to his beloved Viola.  

Click here for the cast list.

Click here for reviews from RottenTomatoes.com.

For more information on Shakespeare in Love, click here.

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