by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Over the years, there have been countless adaptations with countless takes of Romeo & Juliet. You have the more traditional turns that take the story, in the same period, and stick to the beats Shakespeare laid down. Others, like Baz Luhrmann, transport the story to a more modern context. Others still completely reimagine the story into a wholly different context. But now, writer/director Timothy Scott Bogart takes the timeless tale and turns it into a romp of a pop musical with a little less tragedy.
Juliet & Romeo feels a lot like you are getting lost in a music video. The lighting and camera work creates an atmosphere that gives a textured look more reminiscent of ‘80s and ‘90s music films than what you might expect from a film on the big screen. Even more so, it is quite different from the story’s authentic period setting. The costuming and production design are not quite up to the standards you would want, with the costuming providing a tinge of cosplay vibes. The musical aspect of the film certainly feels in the same vein of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s recent “popcorn” musical. The songs might not stick with you long enough after the film to make them memorable, but they are a jaunting bit of fun in the moment. Yet they don’t really stand out from each other either, except for one which has a more “Lin-Manuel Miranda” style to it.
For the most part, the story plays out in the way you’d expect. There are some of the same heavy beats with a few deaths that move along with the story (though the tone feels off, when so much of the film is fun, bouncing pop music). You have Juliet (Clara Rugaard) and Romeo (Jamie Ward) falling in love quite quickly. The parents have a lot of feelings about it as well. But there are some elements that are either expanded or added. The Friar (Derek Jacobi) gets a much larger role in this film, and is involved much more in the story and planning. The inclusion of The Apothecary (Dan Fogler) is a little needless, just adding another unnecessary character to the fold, even though Fogler’s song is probably the most different in the whole musical. Then you have a whole subplot with the Romans, which is needlessly added onto the film too. Outside of a few expected murders, Juliet & Romeo takes a much lighter tone with everything, which actually makes its new take on the ending work better for the vibe the film is going for. But this change will certainly be controversial and take away from the story’s bite and tragedy.
As for the cast, Rugaard and Ward have nice voices which work perfectly for the pop music the film is selling. Their chemistry is fine, and their performances are effective enough, but this is not the best titular pairing you are going to find in a Romeo & Juliet adaptation. The supporting cast is stacked, though, with the veteran actors standing out the most. Jacobi is fantastic, bringing energy and plenty of emotion to the role. Rebel Wilson and Rupert Everett are the Capulets, and they deliver the right type of vibes, even if their roles are limited. Jason Isaacs is just amazing in everything, and he makes for a stoic and intense Lord Montague, adding some weight to an overall airy romp. The rest of the younger cast do a fine job as well, but don’t stand out as well, even with fun roles like Mercutio to play around with.
Juliet & Romeo is a light take on the source that gives a more musical theater troupe vibe than that of a big screen adaptation. An easy watch, but not much else to sink your teeth into.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
Juliet & Romeo is currently playing in theaters
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