Romeo and Juliet (2013) Review

"For never was a story of more woe Than of this of fair Juliet and her Romeo" -The Prince

Shakespeare's greatest tragedy has been retold for each generation. For many the definitive version is Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo & Juliet from 1968. A great film that captures how Shakespearian plays are told. However, the latest incarnation of this lovers tragedy is told by more than the mutters of the characters. The latest Romeo and Juliet is a masterpiece of cinematography, costumry, and character development. Many will quarrel with me over the last statement. My response, "I am for you."

What sets this incarnation of the woeful tale of love from the others is that it does not feel Shakespearian. Typically, a Shakespearean tale has modest sets and great drama to compensate for the lack of scenery. The opposite is true for this version of Romeo and Juliet. The sets are authentic Italy sites of Verona. The castles, cathedrals, streets, and palaces are breathtaking! Each scene is like an unfolding art piece. As if Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and Rembrandt had put the film together themselves. Oh and the costumes, the beautiful attire and even the attachments; the swords and belts are like the stars and sunset! Everything sparkles with sheer beauty, making the viewer wish to be there even if they do not approve of the performances.

The cast is well matched. The lady Juliet is played by Hailee Steinfield. Most will remember Ms. Steinfield from her groundbreaking performance in Tru Grit (2010). She was not the obvious choice, nor was she the first choice. In fact, the original actress who was to play fair Juliet was pale and redheaded. But I find Steinfield's Juliet to be a gentler character than the beloved Olivia Hussey of Zeffirelli's masterpiece. Had Hailee had the temper and sharp-edged personality of Hussey, there would be cries from Zeffirelli fans of unoriginality. Nay, Ms. Steinfield's a welcome change. Instead of the fire cracker personality, she is tender and more melancholy. She conveys the sorrow better than the surge of attitude Ms. Hussey did. I believed that Hailee's heart was indeed torn in two during the pivtol moments of this tragedy.

Hailee Steinfield as Juliet

Then we have our Romeo. A rather unknown Douglas Booth who plays the pretty boy well. Douglas Booth is the complete opposite of Leonard Whiting from the 1968 version. Booth is bold and is not conflicted about killing like Whiting was. What drives Douglas to the dagger in the Church scene after Tibalt's un-timely death is not sorrow over slaying the uncouth duelist, but that he offends and hurts his love. Whiting was like boy who wanted death after slaying a man. This Romeo is more mature and his response has to do with wounding his beloved, not a man who was bedeviled liked Tibalt.

Douglas Booth as Romeo

O Mercutio, mad Mercuito. John McEney's Mercutio from 1968 is considered masterful. His Mercutio was mad beyond aid and his moment of conflict is seen as an attempt to protect Romeo. Mercutio in Zeffirelli's rendition is a jester who does not desire a fight, except to protect his man, Romeo. In this version, Mercutio is played by Christian Cooke who has a resemblance to Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings and who has a temper like Tibalt. Instead of challenging Juliet's cruel Cousin to save Romeo, Mercutio does it on the ground of honor, the honor of the Bontique House. I frankly perfered Cooke's Mercutio. He was brazen and bold. He was crude at times, but his musings were easier to swallow than McEney's. When Mercutio must meet his Maker, my heart was stirred by his last words, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." This would seem to be Shakespeare's comment for the entire play.

Christian Cook as Mercutio

The rest of the cast was a pleasure to watch. Damien Lewis played memorable Lord Capulet. His iambic pentameter upon confronting Juliet over the proposed marriage to Duke Paris was perfect! Every scene Lewis was in he stole. Lady Capulet played by Natascha McElhone was breathtaking in her beauty! She was great pairing for Damien Lewis. Kodi- Smit McPhee was  brilliant Benvolio and best friend of Romeo. The Nurse played by Lesley Manville was memorable. She conveys the conflicted nature of being a servant of the Capulet House, but also a surrogate mother of Juliet. But the best supporting character is without a doubt is Friar Laurence played by Paul Giamatti! Giamatti places a most convince man of the cloth who seeks to connect the two star crossed lovers, but inevitably must face heart break.

Paul Giamatti as Friar Laurence

At last we come to the woe. The story of Romeo and Juliet is tragic. By the time this film was made almost everyone knows how the story will end. In fact, that is what makes the entire ending more impactful. This version knows that the audience is aware of what is about to happen. When the Novice priest is en route to deliver the message to Romeo that Juliet is not really dead, and is stopped by man in need. Our heart sinks. Then when Bonvileo having seen Juliet taken to the Tomb of the Capulets rides with haste to Romeo and passes the crude house where the Novice with the news dwells, we feel the welt in our heart. The reason this moment hurts more is because the ending is in already in our minds and it is the getting there, not the surprise that causes us emotional pain.

At last we come to the Tomb. Romeo with the poison in hand, goes to his wife and speaks his last words before taking the apothecary's serum. Then with a last kiss, Romeo awakens Juliet and in his final moments he is with her. This is different from the usual version of Juliet waking up after Romeo is dead. It is more deeply felt, because Romeo seeing his love awaken probably is thinking he is crossing over into heaven to see her. Juliet in horror thinks Romeo is fine and that their scheme has been achieved. But then Romeo falls beside her and with a kiss perishes. Friar Laurence arrives too late and he tries to convince Juliet to spare her life and join a nunnery. But Juliet does not heed him, and taking her "happy dagger," sheathes it in her heart.

What impressed me most about this version of Romeo and Juliet was the message of Christ. The entire film shows great respect for Christianity in the form of Friar Laurence. Especially in the wedding of Romeo and Juliet, the two lovers unlike Zeffreli's version, are attentive and wanting to make their binding oaths carefully and correctly. They respond in the Latin "volo" and "amen" with faces that are resolute and reverent to the Lord. In fact, there is even a seen with Romeo on his knees before a Crucifix praying after tilting with Tibalt. But the final Christian message lies in the ending. After Romeo and Juliet are both  dead, the Houses of Capulet and Bontique reconcile publicly. Then they go to beautiful cathedral and the familes mourn together. The love of fair Juliet and her Romeo did break the hate of their families, but it was in death. This is messianic, because Christ loved us and died on the cross and it was only by his death via great love that our hate was laid to rest and we could love our fellow man again. In this way, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is the most Christian play and one that should move us deeply.