Riya Kalra
Online editor
Juliet and Romeo (2025), directed by Timothy Scott Bogart, reimagines Shakespeare’s tragic love story as a modern pop musical. While ambitious in scope and style, the film struggles to balance spectacle with substance. Set in Verona in 1301, it follows a familiar tale of star-crossed lovers caught between feuding families— but this version swaps poetic dialogue for pop lyrics and modern teen melodrama.
Clara Rugaard and Jamie Ward, playing Juliet and Romeo, bring sincerity and soft chemistry to their roles. However, much of the emotional depth is lost due to underwritten characters and a cluttered narrative. The film rearranges plot events— such as having the couple marry before the Capulet ball— and alters the ending in a way that suggests possible franchise aspirations. These changes detract from the original stpry’s dramatic impact.
The pop songs, composed by Evan Kidd Bogart and Justin Gray, form the film’s emotional core but are mostly forgettable. While one or two numbers are visually playful, like a duet performed in a hay cart, most lack narrative weight and feel overproduced. Supporting characters receive musical moments seemingly out of obligation, including a clumsy empowerment ballad by Rebel Wilson and a campy solo by Dan Fogler, which disrupt the tone and pacing.
Visually, the film is often impressive. Real Italian locations and Dante Ferretti’s elegant production design create an immersive historical atmosphere. However, the synthetic-sounding score and heavily edited musical sequences weaken the film’s intended theatricality. Nicholas Podany as Mercutio stands out, offering a rare emotional nuance in a largely superficial ensemble.
Juliet and Romeo is not without charm, but it rarely feels cohesive. Its attempt to modernize the Bard through pop music and stylized visuals results in a film that’s more flash than feeling. Despite its earnest effort, it lacks the poetry, heartbreak, and soul that define Shakespeare’s original. For a more compelling reinterpretation, Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 version remains the gold standard.
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