ROSALINE – Review

Hey, it’s getting pretty close to movie award season, so what better time to, as they sing in “Kiss Me Kate”, “Brush Up Your Shakespeare”. Now, don’t think that you’re doing homework, since this new film delves into one of the Bard’s classics. Yes, it can be fun even though the cast isn’t singin’ and dancin’ up a storm as in WEST SIDE STORY. Whoops, let the “cat outta’ the bag” with that last aside. Yet, it’s a different take on the tale from what’s been shown so many times before. This new “twist” builds itself around a minor character, much as with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern from HAMLET (who got their spin-off story). Oh but in this one, the title character was only mentioned, never seen in the iconic love story. Finally, we’ll get the “dirt” on the former “bae”. Now everyone will learn that before Juliet, Romeo was romancing ROSALINE.

This film begins on a balcony overlooking Verona as Romeo Montague (Kyle Allen) proclaims his adoration for…Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever). But much like that other story, this is a forbidden romance as she is also a Capulet. The following morning her dreams of him are interrupted by her Nurse Janet (Minnie Driver) who must get her lady ready for Lunch with a potential suitor her father Adrian (Bradley Whitford) has arranged. Once again, she scares off another much-older rich dullard, annoying papa. Rosaline needs her Romero, yet when he drops the “L-bomb” (as in love) on her later that night, she’s gobsmacked into silence. This prompts a hasty exit from him, though she implores him to join her at the next day’s masquerade. Ah, but another suitor is on tap in a few hours, though this one’s much younger and easier on the eyes. Ex-soldier Dario (Sean Teale) has planned a meal as part of the cruise in his modest boat. Though she gives him a chilly reception, their banter is spirited. Still, she needs to get to shore for the party just as a raging storm erupts. Meanwhile, a masked Romeo searches in vain for Rosaline until he bumps into Juliet (Isabela Merced) and those sparks ignite. Oh, and to make matters worse, she’s Rosaline’s visiting cousin. The next day she sees Romeo on the path to her balcony. Oh oh, he’s veering off to the left…to where? Rosaline follows and catches him locking lips with…ya’ know. After her letters to him go unanswered, Rosaline makes it her mission to bust up those lovebirds. So, she’s doomed to fail….or just maybe….

Carrying the whole enterprise is the snarky, sassy comic performance from Dever which matches her terrific work in BOOKSMART. She’s the audience surrogate in the opening sequence easing us from the flowery speech of the classic play into modern slang and vernacular, though Dever can confidently “talk all fancy”. Dever’s Rosaline is a brilliant whirlwind easily trouncing all the dolts who would put her in “her place”. But there’s still a tender vulnerability to her as she realizes her ideal might not be the “real deal”. And that first love, Romero, is played with “surfer dude ‘tude” by the cluelessly comic Allen. It’s no surprise that he’s distracted by the adorable Merced as the naive starstruck Juliet, who almost floats on a cloud of desire when she speaks of her dreamy paramour. On the other hand, Teale is firmly rooted in his budding interest in Rosaline, never folding before her witty asides, though often bemused by her frantic schemes. Also hiding his amusement at her is Whitford as the irritating but somewhat proud pop. Christopher McDonald is a much-different Capulet daddy, a pompous blowhard constantly duped. Spencer Stevenson scores lotsa’ laughs as Rosaline’s utterly fabulous pal Paris, while Driver displays a flair for deadpan exasperation as the Nurse who gets little respect from the hierarchy. Also turning in funny supporting work are Nico Hiraga, the message delivery guy who seems to always be high, and Alistar Toovey as Tybalt, who never drops his sneering squint.

Generating the energetic pace running on this romp is director Karen Maine, who keeps “all the plates spinning” with skill. Wait a minute, romp? Yes, well there are a few liberties taken with the Bard’s work in the clever screenplay by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber which adapts the YA novel “When You Were Mine” by Rebecca Serle. The period wardrobes are almost as gorgeous as the Italian scenery doubling for Verona. And the comedy is enhanced by the expert selection of bouncy 70s and 80s pop tunes on the soundtrack. Those familiar with the source material will watch with a knowing smile and many chuckles, while this could prove to be a great introduction for the younger set, as it’s hard to think of a more teen-friendly gateway into Shakespeare than the engaging whip-smart “firecracker” called ROSALINE.

Three Out of Four

ROSALINE is now streaming exclusively on Hulu