Young Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," before it's even written. When a lovely noblewoman auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love -- and his play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship progresses, Shakespeare's comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

• Miramax
• Universal Pictures
• Joseph Fiennes
• Gwyneth Paltrow
• Geoffrey Rush
• Tom Wilkinson
• Judi Dench
• Imelda Staunton
• Colin Firth
• Ben Affleck