Romeo and Juliet. We all know Shakespeare’s tragic love story. The play has been adapted time and time again. But it was Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet that breathed new life into the old literary tale. Now R#J plans to reimagine a classic once again. This time with the star-crossed lovers addicted to social media.
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, this story is told a bit differently than what you have seen before. The lens of the camera is gone; in its place are text messages and Instagram lives.
Yes, this adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is told entirely through smartphones. Blending Shakespeare’s words and the “teen speak” of today showcasing a new type of love language. Gone are the face to face interactions. Instead, exchanges of GIFS, Spotify playlists, and Instagram comments fill this budding romance. And Romeo (Camaron Engels) must woo Juliet (Francesca Noel) through TikTok dances.
The social media aspect is intriguing at first but becomes tiresome. This new retelling gives a backstory to why there was a feud between the Capulets and Montagues. And as love begins to brew, Juliet looks up the events that led to the rift between the two houses. Unfortunately, it’s not on-screen long enough to for us to read everything.
This happens a few times throughout the film. The comments are firing off in the corner of the screen, or a person is scrolling too quickly. It was a neat idea that just missed the mark.
Admittedly the live video comments are funny. But I spent more time reading than paying attention to the actors. Who were wonderful, by the way.
The dead space where characters respond to texts or scroll through an app is filled with odd sounds. Most of the time, it’s a character murmuring to themselves or breathing heavy. I’m not a person that does well with that, so it took me out of the storytelling.
But, if there is one thing this film did right, it’s the cast. Mercutio (Siddiq Saunderson) is a scene-stealer. Saunderson’s eccentric and electric performance demands your attention.
R#J is filled with a black and Latino cast, putting culture at the forefront of this film. This plays a large role in the storytelling bringing these characters to life in a way we have never seen before.
R#J also has a very bold and surprising ending. I have to admit; it’s my favorite part of the film. If there’s one thing I love, it’s turning a classic on its head, and this film does that perfectly. R#J is a creative take on star-crossed love and is definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of Shakespeare.
Sundance 2021 Review: R#J
Score
Review Nation Score
R#J is a creative take on a Shakespeare classic. However, the social media aspect becomes tiresome after a while. Where the movie shines is in its cast and bold ending.
