Gwyneth Paltrow Discusses Shakespeare in Love’s Surprise Win Over Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan for Best Picture

Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘Shakespeare in Love.’
Credit :

Laurie Sparham/Miramax

Gwyneth Paltrow recently reflected on the Oscar campaign for Shakespeare in Love, shedding light on the controversy surrounding its triumph over Saving Private Ryan, directed by her godfather, Steven Spielberg. This discussion took place on Entertainment Weekly’s podcast, The Awardist, where Paltrow, now 53, revisited the events leading to her Best Actress win at the 71st Academy Awards in 1999.

During this competition, Shakespeare in Love clinched the Best Picture award in a surprising turn of events, overshadowing Saving Private Ryan, which was considered the frontrunner. Paltrow humorously noted her dynamic with Spielberg during that time, stating, "Well, it was so funny because Steven won for director and I won [Best Actress]. And Steven has been at this rodeo for a very long time, and even 25 years ago had already been at the rodeo a very long time."

While discussing the nature of awards, Paltrow expressed her belief that much exceptional work often goes unnoticed. "We never know why one thing wins over the next,” she said, emphasizing the unpredictability of awards. She referenced the 2017 Oscars, where Moonlight won Best Picture amidst a mix-up that initially announced La La Land as the winner. "You know what? Both of those could have won," she added.

Paltrow elaborated on her perspective regarding awards, describing them as acknowledgments of achievement but also as tools for monetization within the industry. "That in itself is wonderful for a movie and for this business model of cinema, which I hope is going to continue to be viable," she remarked. She acknowledged that the subjective nature of art leads to varied opinions, reinforcing that the role of art is to evoke emotion.

Gwyneth Paltrow with her Best Actress Oscar in 1999 (left); Steven Spielberg with his Best Director Oscar, also 1999.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty (2)

Shakespeare in Love is recognized for its contentious Oscar campaign, characterized by aggressive strategies employed by former producer Harvey Weinstein. The 2017 examination by Vanity Fair noted Weinstein’s approach as a significant innovation that brought political campaign tactics into the awards arena, further complicating the narrative surrounding the film’s success.

Reflecting on her Oscar journey, Paltrow shared that the award, which she previously kept hidden, now occupies a proud place on her bookshelf. She expressed needing time to heal from the overwhelming nature of the campaign and its aftermath, describing it as “a lot to metabolize.” Recently, she revisited Shakespeare in Love and felt a new appreciation for the film, acknowledging that it took her 25 years to come to terms with her victory, which she considered a pivotal moment in her life. “I think it was just a lot to hold as a 26-year-old,” she concluded.