Despite the solid cast, this most recent incarnation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet fails to impress. Directed by Carlo Carlei, adapted for the screen by Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park, writer and creator of Downton Abbey), the movie was shot on location in Verona, Italy. Carlei and Fellowes’ rendition of the star-crossed lovers’ tale appears to be tailored to a slightly younger audience. Well stocked with teen heartthrobs like Douglas Booth (LOL) as Romeo, Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl) as Tybalt, and Christian Cooke (Where the Heart Is) as Mercutio, many casting choices were surely made as much for teen appeal as for acting ability (many a swoon-worthy male is out of his depth with the Shakespearean verse).

Performances to be noted are Paul Giamatti (Sideways) as Friar Lawrence, Homeland’s Damian Lewis as Lord Capulet, Lesley Manville as Juliet’s nurse, Stellan Skarsgård (The Avengers, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)’s 30 seconds of screen time as the Prince, and even Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road) as Benvolio do their parts justice. These performances are engaging and dynamic, proving a stark contrast against some of the exceptionally bland readings in the film (Hailee Steinfeld, I expected more from you after True Grit. How hard could it really have been pretending to be in love with Douglas Booth?). No chemistry here. The film’s greatest failing, however, is the terribly obnoxious and intrusive musical score. Detracting from even the strongest of the movie’s scenes, it effectively destroys any emotional investment the audience could possibly have had. Its jarring, baroque-est plucking, is cringe-inducing even in retrospect.

Beautiful costumes, lovely sets and a picturesque setting are definite highlights in this adaptation. Starring Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth as Juliet and Romeo, while not the worst film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, it has some serious shortcomings.

Astrid Handling