ROMEO AND JULIET (2014)
SYNOPSIS:
Teenagers in ancient Verona, Romeo Montague (Douglas Booth) and
Juliet Capulet (Hailee Steinfeld), fall madly in forbidden love - their
families are mortal enemies, frozen in an age old feud. Unable and
unwilling to resist their love, the young lovers marry secretly, only to find
themselves caught in a series of events that lead to a tragic
misunderstanding.
Review by Louise Keller:
I felt like jumping on a plane to Verona after watching Julian
Fellowes' traditional adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy
in which beauty, youth and a superb sense of place cocoon the
narrative in which forbidden love is the theme. Director Carlo
Carlei's film sweeps us into 16th century Verona with its ancient
walls and turrets, candlelit halls, cobbled pathways, grand murals
and distinctive roman architecture amid an ever-present musical
score of running quavers that reinforce the essence of time - or
the lack of it - for the world's most famous lovers.
It's a bit turgid at times and the plot plods in the establishment
scenes, but then the swell of romance and the flush of first love
works its magic through its photogenic young stars.
Turgid = inflated,
overblown, or
pompous;
bombastic
While the story's focus concentrates on the hopeless love match
Photogenic:
between Romeo (Douglas Booth) and Juliet (Hailee Steinfeld),
having features
whose families, the Montagues and Capulets respectively are
that look well in
sworn enemies, it is the theatrical stalwarts Paul Giamatti and
a photograph
Damian Lewis who form the pillars that support the tale. Giamatti,
as the sympathetic Friar Laurence brings a passionate spark to
the role, while Lewis, as Juliet's father Lord Capulet injects verve
as he lays down his strict rules. Their emotions form a solid
platform for the young lovers' plight, prompting us to be moved by
their tears.
Steinfeld, so impressive in True Grit (2010), is mostly decorative
here, her pretty, heart-shaped face aglow with the promise of
Juliet's happiness, while Booth elicits more emotion, his
handsome features, square jaw and luscious lips demanding our
attention. They make a beautiful couple and the balcony scene in
which Romeo scales the walls of Juliet's home, amid the climbing
pink roses is romance personified. Their scenes together are
romantic in the true poetic sense, filled with the promise of eternal
commitment while Abel Korzeniowski's heavily stringed orchestral
score constantly weaves lively, melodic elements of passion as a
counterpoint. The music sound mix occasionally almost drowns
out the dialogue, which is a distraction.
All the cast is good with special mention to Kodi Smit-McPhee
(The Road) as Benvolio; the scene in which he reveals Juliet's fate
to his friend Romeo towards the end of the film, is heart-wrenching
stuff. Lesley Manville as Juliet's caring nurse, Natasha McElhone
as her mother and Stellan Skarsgård as the Prince of Verona also
have a strong presence. The production design and costumes are
superb and Verona itself is one of the film's highlights. The
potency of some of Shakespeare's well known quotes may be lost
in this adaptation, but the essence of romance and youth is the
magic potion here
Potency: power;
authority