Oscar-winning period romance with unrecognisable A-lister streaming for free
An Academy Award-winning period drama starring an unrecognisable A-lister is now streaming for free.
BBC iPlayer has just added Shakespeare in Love to its library, ready for theatre and romcom lovers to devour.
Released in 1998, the star-studded film features Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow, Colin Firth and Ben Affleck. It also stars Dame Judi Dench in a role that almost completely disguises the acclaimed actress.
For those who missed the hit romantic drama, it follows young playwright William Shakespeare (played by Joseph Fiennes) as he is battling writer's block.
While looking for a new muse, William meets his ideal woman, Viola (Paltrow), and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet.
Dame Dench plays Queen Elizabeth I, donning the hair, makeup and 16th century garments to fit the royal part. Despite being on screen for around eight minutes, Dench's performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
The drama's accolades didn't stop there, as Shakespeare in Love also took home the Best Picture prize, alongside the Best Costume; Best Original Music; Best Screenplay, and Best Art Direction awards. Paltrow also bagged the Best Leading Actress gong, which remains her only Oscar win to date.
Directed by John Madden, the period drama has an impressive 92% Rotten Tomatoes score. The critics' consensus reads: "Endlessly witty, visually rapturous, and sweetly romantic, Shakespeare in Love is a delightful romantic comedy that succeeds on nearly every level."
Casual moviegoers similarly rave about the nineties hit, with one viewer writing: "Incredibly heart-warming and wildly entertaining, this movie has something for everybody, and it is so much fun to watch. I definitely recommend it for romance and comedy fans!"
A second said: "I absolutely love this movie, it's a timeless classic and an absolute must see. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll fall in love with the characters.
"It's quoted almost daily in my household, and rightfully so! If you haven't seen it already, I highly recommend this movie!"
Meanwhile, a third penned: "Simply put, this is a fun film that never lacks for comedy. Everyone in this film portrays their parts with elegance. And as if to top the entire film off, Dame Judi Dench plays a rather fantastically entertaining Queen Elizabeth I."
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