#REVIEW: “ROMEO AND JULIET”

We all know about Romeo and Juliet, the Classic Story pretty much becoming a compulsory study in High School English Classes across the Country. Director Carlo Carlei and Screenwriter Julian Fellowes join forces, uniting to bring the Story to a newer generation defined by Hannah Montana, Teen Vogue and Gossip Girl. This is not to imply though that this timeless Tale of Romance, Honour and Tragedy is in any way reduced in any form. Carlei manages to remain faithful to William Shakespeare, reviving it with a breath of new life in some remarkable casting choices.

Romeo and Juliet follows the course of two young star-crossed Lovers Romeo Montague (Douglas Booth) and Julie Capulet (Hailee Steinfeld), who despite a history of feuding between their Families, manage to cross paths, falling hopelessly in love despite the vehement disapproval from both sides. Forced to wed a handpicked Suitor in Paris (Tom Wisdom) by her Parents Lord and Lady Capulet (Damian Lewis and Natascha McElhone), the Lovers are in a battle against circumstance as matters become complicated further as the casualties begin to number with lives spared in the name of a forbidden love.

Even though we know well how the Story ends for Romeo and Juliet, we can’t help but want to intervene still and make for a different outcome and this is a true testament to the timeless relevance of Shakespeare‘s truths and also great storytelling from the Ensemble Cast and Carlei. If only we had E-mail and Cell Phones existed in the era the Story is set, we just might have been able to keep Romeo and Juliet’s love alive!

That being said, 21-year-old Booth is a fresh-faced Talent from Britain who delivers a remarkable and commanding performance in the Lead Role. Homeland‘s Lewis is frighteningly in fine form as Juliet‘s unopposable Father, while Paul Giamatti delivers great compassion as Friar Laurence, tapping into a well of emotion within. A barely-recognizable Ed Westwick, known best as Chuck Bass in The CW‘s Gossip Girl as Juliet‘s hot-tempered Cousin Tybalt delivers great fire in his fair share of screen time. Academy Award Nominee Steinfeld, who as a reminder is only 16-years-old, takes a moment to find her best stride, but is in her promising element once she finds Juliet midway through.

D Films releases Romeo and Juliet on Friday, October 11, 2013.