Juliet & Romeo Review - Excellent Live Action Musical Adaptation, A Must See
- Details
- Category: UK A&E, Lifestyle, Culture
- Published on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 11:52
- Written by Janet Walker
Juliet & Romeo, from Icon Film Distribution and Briarcliffe Entertainment, brings to the screen a captivating, live action, musical adaptation of Shakespeare's tragic love story filled with stunning colorful costumes, memorable performances, and unforgettable musical numbers.
Set in 1301, the Capulets and Montagues each the leading family of the city of Verona, Italy, are also the sworn enemies of the other. And on this day, a feast of merriment fills the city with street vendors hawking their wares, a festival of performing artists, jugglers, and entertainers, drinking and laughter. There is also a traditional challenge between the Capulets and the Montagues, a son of each much rise to the challenge, with a small wager added for incentive.
Bonjour Tristesse Review – An Entertaining Coming of Age Drama, Captivating
Tonight, Tybalt, played by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, the nephew of Lady Capulet, played by Rebel Wilson, and cousin of Juliet, played by Clara Rugaard, choses to fight for the honor of the Capulet name. Romeo, played by Jamie War, declines the invitation and Mercutio, an adopted Montague son, played by Nicholas Podany, joins the revelry.
As Romeo is walking through the crowd, a carriage arrives, and Juliet, who had been studying in Paris for many years, steps into the carnival, and in an instant, he was taken, swept away, by the whims of love. As he makes his way toward her, just as his heart has tripped him up, he stumbles and falls into a vendor's pillows, unable to make the suave impression he had played out in his mind and befitting a man of his position.
With the ale flowing freely, the night becomes one of pranks, challenges, and curiosity. Here also, one of the first musical numbers. Where we see the heart has more control over the youth of Verona than the ruling families would hope, and while social classes, family hostilities, and religion attempt to drive a wedge through the hopes that love will one day destroy the barriers that keep them apart.
Two-to-One Review – Delightful, A Charming, Lighthearted, Dramatic Comedy
Suddenly the guards have been called in to round up the rabblerousers, and Juliet pulls Romeo into the alleyway, and as the soldier's rush past them she kisses him to hide his face. The duck into the church, where we meet the Friar, played by Derek Jacobi, who realizes the moment he sees them, forbidden love has already bound them.
Attempting to be the voice of reason, he explains, this can never work. After the night begins to give way to the morning, they realize the duty of which binds them to futures neither desire, cannot hold them.
At breakfast, Lady Capulet explains the future of the House of Capulet rests on you, and you will put whatever mask needed, and you will attend this evening's masquerade party and live out your duty. We begin to realize that in order to save their fortunes, Juliet must marry the man her family has chosen. Life for her now holds no more choices.
Throughout the film we also meet both Lord Capulet, played by Rupert Evertt, and Lord Montague, played by Jason Issacs, both of whom are trying to determine which family will survive the invasion of Verona by the Roamn Army, and what strategy will serve them best. The Capulets believe marrying their daughter to a fine man, Paris, played by Dennis Andres, even though she will be miserable is an acceptable sacrifice to maintain their fortune.
And critical to our hell be damned lovers the apothecary, played by Dan Folger, who devises a potion that will unite them for all eternity.
Self-Driver Review – Riveting, Engrossing, Attention-Grabbing
Juliet & Romeo is an excellent and captivating live-action musical adaptation. It is highly entertaining. The attention to detail, which can be overlooked in some scenes as there is so much activity creates the festive atmosphere in many of the musical numbers are performed the vibrancy of the stunning costumes, memorable performances, are unforgettable.
The all-star cast is complimented by a group of young talent, led by Clara Rugaard and Jamie Ward, who embody the leads, and are responsible for much of the musical accompaniment. They are entertaining, and the emotions jump off the screen. As for Rebel Wilson, Rupert Everett, Jason Isaacs, they are tasked with performing the heart of the Shakespearean play, and they deliver with authenticity. Derek Jacobi and Dan Fogler each bring to life the roles of Friar and Apothecary and are enjoyable in their deceptions.
Juliet & Romeo, an excellent live-action musical adaptation of Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet, will be in UK cinemas for one night only on 11th June. A must-see. Entertaining for all.
Chosen Family Review – Comedic Drama Delivers Laughs, Entertaining
Country: UK.
Language: English.
Runtime: 120 minutes.
Theatrical Release Date: June, 11, 2025.
Director: Timothy Scott Bogart.
Produced By: Timothy Scott Bogart, Jessica Martins, Chris Torto, Bradley Bogart, Andrea Lervolino, Richard Kondal.
Executive Producer: Monika Barcardi, Evan Kidd Bogart, Russell Geyser, Laurence Mark, Adam Mehr, Tom Ortenberg, Clay Pecorin, Gary A. Randall, Andrea Zoso.
Writer: Timothy Scott Bogart, based on the play, "Romeo & Juliet" by William Shakespeare.
Cast: Rebel Wilson, Rupert Everett, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Graves, Dan Fogler, Derek Jacobi, Clara Rugaard, Jamie Ward, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Nicholas Podany, Martina Ortiz Luis, Dennis Andres, Alex Grech, Quinn Scott Bogart, Lidia Vitale, Tayla Parx, Sara Lazzaro, Zac Bellward, Max C. Parker, Mattia Napoli, Tiwuany Lepetitgaland, Russell Russell, Ledisi, Jordan Clark.
Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade. A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five screenplays, "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She is completing the non-fiction narrative, "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," which is expected to be released in early 2025. She is a member of the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a former member of the International Federation of Journalists.
