William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is one of the best-known works worldwide. How many television shows and movies can you recall where the storyline involves students working through Iambic Pentameter or performing the piece? Do you still have nightmares about trying to understand what was happening? Sure, big picture, we all know the story, but did you grasp any of the underlying events, the subtle side stories, and the politics of the time?
Over the years, multiple versions of Romeo & Juliet (aka the star-crossed lovers) have been told. Some are so bold as to use the name, and others do not call it out but give enough of a nod so the audience knows what is happening. This summer, we have Juliet and Romeo. The name alone gave me hope of a more female perspective, and at the very least, not have it be about a 13-year-old female. (True, at the time, it is about 13, which was considered middle-aged. But no – the eww factor.) The good news is that Juliet is closer to 19, and for the most part, the lines are easier to understand and follow without being the original word-for-word script.
The official synopsis states, “The greatest love story of all time, set to the greatest music of our time.” I had hoped it would be a bit like the music in A Knight’s Tale, songs we were able to sing along with in our heads. Alas, it is original music, and more what “the kids with the clothes and the hair” will hopefully enjoy. Maybe if I had been hearing the songs on the radio or had watched with subtitles to follow all the lyrics, it might have had more of an impact on me. I also saw plenty of places where Lady Capulet (Rebel Wilson) could have added a bit to the music, we know she has the talent to do so.
It is also worth noting that this is the first of a trilogy telling the story on which Shakespeare’s work is based. There is still hope that the parts of the story unfamiliar to most of us will provide a more substantial female lead than the story we know allows.
Dan Fogler was a standout for me as the Apothecary. From talking with Romeo and offering something to make him feel more, to his belief in science, not witchcraft, and what it can do, and toward the end learning what he is up to that no one knows about, this is a person I want to get to know. His performance, along with the choreography, its execution, and the colors in the costumes, brought my score up to three stars. Then again, maybe I am just too old to appreciate this modern take.
Director: Timothy Scott Bogart
Cast: Clara Rugaard, Jamie Ward, Jason Isaacs, Dan Fogler
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some violence, bloody images, and suggestive material.
Selig Rating: 3 stars
Runtime: 2h 1m
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Genre(s): Drama, Musical, Romance
Movie Site: Juliet and Romeo website
Trailer: Juliet and Romeo trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.