Genius is usually seen as something you are born with. It’s an innate quality you simply possess. It’s just what you are. Our narrative of genius essentially posits that either you have it, or you don’t. You cannot claim genius, no matter how hard you work, or become a genius. Genius is conceived of as effortless.

“Shakespeare in Love” is not the sort of movie I would chose for myself. Romances of any sort are not my speed. But, it is interesting in the way it conceives of genius. As “Shakespeare in Love” tells it, genius is not so much an innate characteristic as something which happens to you-genius, it seems to say, arises from brilliant experiences, rather than originating in the self. In the film, the young playwright William Shakespeare draws heavily upon his lived experiences while writing Romeo and Juliet. As the film tells it, the great love story in “Romeo and Juliet” is so meaningful because it is inspired by the real life love between Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps.

While the actual movie is somewhat tacky, its narrative of the creative process and of the nature of genius is compelling. It is far more democratic than the traditional narrative. Of course, you can tell yourself you are a genius-but there are a lot of other people in the world, all of whom are free to tell you that you’re wrong. But, no one can really stop you from seeking out brilliant experiences. If genius is experiential, anyone can be a genius. You can try and fail, and fail a lot, and still be a genius, once you find the right story (or idea, or experience, etc..).

All said, I enjoyed this movie. It presented a unique take on the creative process, and on the nature of genius. It was also a fairly effective love story.