Director: Timothy Scott Bogart
Writer: Timothy Scott Bogart
Stars: Clara Rugaard, Jamie Ward, Jason Isaacs
Synopsis: Based on the real story that inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, follows the greatest love story of all time, set as an original pop musical.
When a writer and/or director sets out to make a film based on a well-known story, there is an inherent risk involved. When everyone knows the story, what exactly do you have to offer? What is the hook, the new angle? There are many stories that have been told over (and over) again. But perhaps none of them have been told as often as “Romeo and Juliet.” It is so famous, I don’t even need to tell you who wrote it. And certainly, it has been done well on film. Whether you prefer George Cukor (1936), Franco Zeffirelli (1968), or Baz Luhrmann (1996), there are numerous options to choose from and many of high quality. The great thing about a classic play is that you can take it from many different angles.
Juliet & Romeo certainly has a new look for the classic story. Writer/director Timothy Scott Bogart set out to tell the “true story” that inspired the play. Essentially, this means adding in a nonsensical plot point featuring a Pope. To add to this, he also makes it a pop musical. You might think these two ideas would work in opposition with one another and, sadly, you would be absolutely correct. It is a strange thing to want to tell a story of hidden truth and then couch it in the highly produced musical stylings of pop. And frankly, all of that could be forgiven with either great performances or great music.
To be clear, with any musical, great music is imperative. And this is not something to bide your time with, you cannot simply ramp up to the “good songs.” If you don’t grab your audience immediately, it is over. And folks, it is so over. There is some solid pop music hidden within, but it simply takes too long to get there. Most of the music is uninspired. Put simply, if you are not a fan of pop music, this is probably what you think pop sounds like. The attached choreography is similarly conventional. And this is what most of the film feels like, never completely awful, but certainly not something you might remember, fondly or otherwise.
Especially compared to recent versions of this story, the visuals also simply don’t measure up. Either a more muted palette or an maximalist explosion of color can work (as proved previously). Unfortunately, Juliet & Romeo falls somewhere in the black hole of the in between. The costumes are certainly colorful, but to the level of garishness. The film is also lit quite strangely, making it difficult (if not impossible) to view anything in the background which would give needed context to world being inhabited.
In many adaptations and, indeed, even in the source material, the titular characters are not the best of the bunch. There are a myriad of moments from supporting characters (the Queen Mab speech from Mercutio, Nurse being playful with Juliet, Tybalt fighting the Montagues) that are arguably more impactful than the lovestruck pair. Sadly, many of these are not present or even presented in a way that equals the palpable energy of just about every other version. This is a real shame because there is a solid cast gathered. Of note, Rupert Everett (Lord Capulet), Jason Isaacs (Lord Montague), and Derek Jacobi (The Friar) all might excite a prospective viewer, but they are given little to do. And Everett, especially, is given little to play off of, as his consistent scene partner, Rebel Wilson, is wildly miscast as Lady Capulet. Just because one can manage a passing English accent does not mean there is any substance to the performance. Romeo (Jamie Ward), an accomplished musical theater actor seems hamstrung by the material but Juliet (Clara Rugaard) should be commended on somehow creating a watchable performance that deserves a better movie.
Honestly, the lone, true bright spot comes from a part that is usually relegated to a necessary evil, The Apothecary (Dan Fogler). He has a musical number (featuring interjections by Derek Jacobi) that is the sole ear worm on a soundtrack stacked full of lyrical attempts. His jolly presence and genuine excitement feels almost out of place compared to the near sleepwalking attempts at other memorable songs.
So yes, there is yet another adaptation of the western world’s most famous love story. Unfortunately, this one removes many of the most iconic moments and adds in a soundscape that mostly fades into the background. But hey, we will always have our chosen Romeo and Juliet, whether that be full of sound and fury or a true Elizabethan version. This bubblegum pop, “true story” will simply make you want to skip the track.
