“Juliet, Naked” A Sweet Film

 

Review by John Delia, Sr.

A work of art and a story about music that fills the void between dreams and reality, the movie Juliet, Naked opens in Florida this weekend. Nicely written for the screen from a novel by Nick Hornby, the movie takes a comedic look at a weird turn of events. It’s a heartfelt story that punctuates the screen with excellent acting and direction. It’s the perfect movie for couples who would like to do a dinner and film as it will keep you talking hours after you have left the theater. And if you are fans of late 80”s and early 90”s Alternative Rock music it’s a big plus.

A professor at a London college, Duncan Thomson (Chris O’Dowd) has been a huge fan of the American song star Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke) who had many hits. Suddenly and without resolve Tucker disappeared from the map following an incident at The Pit, a club where he had just finished a gig. Shocked that his favorite singer went missing, he’s been featuring him on his daily internet show “Can You Hear Me?” on which he welcomes news, forums, essays and rumors related to Crowe and his whereabouts. It has been 25 years and his show has been going for most of the quarter century. His full time girlfriend Annie Platt (Rose Byrne) has been tolerating his rants and raves for the artist for years, but it is finally getting to her.

One day Duncan gets a package from Crowe with a homemade CD titled Juliet, Naked. Excited about it he plays it for Annie and on his show, then expounds on the authenticity of the album. Over 125 respondents immediately give their opinions and what they think is the meaning behind the music. One opinion however stands out and it does not bode well with Duncan when he finds out that’s it’s from Annie. When Annie gets a personal letter from Crowe, Duncan thinks it’s a fake starting a disagreement between the couple.

The film plays out from there creating a very funny comedy and questions on whether Duncan can fend off the real song artist into his life along with his budding relationship with Annie. Director Jesse Peretz spools out the situation comedy showing what life is like when the shoe is on the other foot. He brings Crowe within range of Duncan’s life teasing him with the reality that he still exists. It has twists and turns during a very entertaining cat and mouse race to see who will get the cheese first.

I like Rose Byrne as the disheartened Annie who has spent most of her years putting up with Duncan. He’s an adamant believer that his idol must be still living somewhere and he will continue to blog and brag about him until he reveals himself. This puts Annie at a loss since everything Duncan does he brings up the singer. So when Annie finds out that he really is “that” guy, she starts to feel a bond beginning that she may not be able to break. Byrne is so good in the film and gets better with each raise of an eyebrow, frown at what hidden desires and get red during every embarrassing situation she may put herself. I loved her in Neighbors and she’s just as good in Juliet, Naked.

As the artist Tucker Crowe, Ethan Hawke puts on a great show in both acting and singing. That’s right singing as he’s the lead in most every song from the film’s soundtrack. He also adds a lot of comedy to the film as he reveals his life of marriages and kids over the last 25 years. As he gets Annie involved the situations get out of hand, right up to the final minute. Most of Hawke’s films center around violence and even fantasy sci-fi, but when he does comedy he even has a face for that as well. And he looks great opposite Rose Byrne in Juliet, Naked so that helps him too.

Juliet, Naked has been rated R by the MPAA for language. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for youngsters.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for a girl’s night out. (4 out of 5 Stars)

Additional Film Information:
Cast: Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, Chris O’Dowd, Ayoola Smart, Azhy Robertson,
Directed by: Jesse Peretz
Novel written by: Nick Hornby
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy, Music
MPAA Rating: R for language
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Opening Date: August 31, 2018
Distributed by: Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions
Released in: Standard

PLAYDATE THEATERS:

Miami: Aventura Mall 24, South Beach 18, Cinepolis Grove 15
The Landmark at Merrick Park 7, AMC Sunset Place  
(additonal theaters open 9/7)  

Fort Lauderdale:  The Classic Gateway Theatre  (additional theaters to add 9/7)

West Palm Beach: Shadowood 16, Cinepolis Jupiter 14 (3 additional theaters are planned to open 8/31 and more on 9/7).

Tampa/St. Petersburg: AMC West Shore 14, AMC Woodland Square 20.  (Additonal theaters to open 9/7)

Sarasota:  Burns Court  

Orlando: Enzian Theatre, Rialto 8