Though I am a true believer that Shakespeare is the true author of all his writings, this movie does pose an interesting perspective to an ongoing debate in the the literary world. Did William Shakespeare truly write all of the classics that we know and love him for? And if he did not author them, who did write them? The movie tells you that the responsible author is Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford who put pen to ink and produced Macbeth, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet and so on.
The Earl of Oxford was taken with poetry and acting at a young age, first performing for Queen Elizabeth and charming her. As a young man, he bedded the Queen impregnating her and producing a son, the Earl of South Hampton. However, his irresponsible behavior was frowned upon by his guardian William Cecil, a Puritan and adviser to the Queen. He convinces Edward to marry his daughter to secure his place and to discontinue this writing of his. What you eventually find out is that he has ceased to write and found a way to introduce his plays to the public. He convinces playwright Ben Johnson to submit his works, but Johnson has a conscious of the heart and can not take on the task. Seeing the success of these plays William Shakespeare introduces himself to the public as the author and becomes an instant success.
The subplot to the movie is the apparent rivalry between William Cecil's son, Robert and Edward. Both trying to use their connection to the throne to ensure the proper succession after Elizabeth.
It is an intriguing perspective and there are some twists and unique piecing of history to weave the story as a plausible one.
I give it a 7 out of 10.
Next up is "Hemingway and Gellhorn."
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