Any writer will tell you that the creative process is a fickle one, and inspiration can come from the most unlikely places. In Shakespeare in Love, co-writers Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard have created an enchanting and humorous look at one of the greatest -- and most enigmatic -- writers of all time, as the Bard tries to revive his missing muse.

When considering the collected work of Shakespeare, no one takes into account the passion and sweat that he poured into his words. While so little is known about his life, even less is known about his creative process. So in Shakespeare in Love, audiences get to see how the Bard's life influences his work, and his work influences his life.

Joseph Fiennes portrays young Will Shakespeare, a man whose career as a writer is hanging by a proverbial thread. Mr. Henslowe (Oscar winner Geoffery Rush), the owner of The Rose theater, is in financial difficulties and has commissioned Will to write a new comedy. The new play, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," will be the salvation of the theater -- if only Will can get his pen moving.

To complicate Will's life, he finds himself under the shadow of his rival playwright Christopher Marlow (Rupert Everett), and simultaneously falling for a beautiful young lady, Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow). But events are set into motion that will soon bring his professional and private lives crashing into each other. Like a Shakespearean play within a play, the line between the real world and the written one becomes blurred. Roles are switched (as are genders) and the maddening pace keeps it all snowballing.

Shakespeare in Love is a film for lovers of the Bard. With so many references lifted from his works, it would be hard for anyone not familiar with Shakespeare to appreciate the number of small jokes and plays on words that appear throughout the story. The story itself revolves primarily around Romeo and Juliet, so those familiar with only that one work may still enjoy many subtleties of the film.

In addition, Norman and Stoppard have created a mythical late 16th Century London that in many ways mirrors contemporary society. For example, when one ferryman realizes that his passenger across the river is the poet and playwright Will Shakespeare, he yanks out a script that he has been working on and tries to solicit the Bard's advice.

The cast of Shakespeare in Love is superb, from Fiennes portrayal of the love-sick poet, to the soft intensity and beauty of Paltrow's Viola. Two surprising performances, one by Ben Affleck and one by Judi Dench (M from the James Bond series), provide wonderful additions to an already amazing cast. Affleck portrays a vain young actor, Ned, who is hired to play Mercutio. (And yes, Affleck is actually good!) Dench gives a frightening turn as Elizabeth I, carrying her with a strength that could make grown men cower.

My only concern is the sheer volume of story packed into this whirlwind film. One can't help but feel that some things were missed, and desire to see it again. In this case, a second viewing would be a delight.

MY RATING: 10 out of 10.

RATED:
RUN TIME: 124 min.

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