Throw out the pretentious feeling you get when you hear Shakespear, and get rid of the iambic pentameter. It’s time for a whole new look at Romeo and Juliet. The story has been told over and over again, but now it is being re-envisioned with a bit of a twist. 20th Century is bringing Rosaline to Hulu this weekend, the story of Romeo and Juliet, told from Romeo’s ex-girlfriend’s perspective. Already, a twist to the story that sparks interest, the movie is one that is going to please any viewer looking for a fun rom-com to put on repeat.
Kaitlyn Devers takes the helm with the role of Rosaline, a headstrong maiden who is distraught when her secret boyfriend Romeo stops communicating with her. While constantly trying to dodge the suitors her father is trying to set her up with, Rosaline finds out that Romeo has fallen in love with her cousin Juliet, and she’s plotting to break them up and win back who she thinks is her true love.
Unlike previous adaptions of Romeo and Juliet viewers aren’t stuck with stuffy Elizabethan language. Even the love-professing poems Romeo says to the girls are seen as out of place, and the characters actually talk and act as modern teenagers would. If it wasn’t for the set time frame, the story could be a modern rom-com with the drama and relationships portrayed in the story.
Kaitlyn Dever shows the versatility of her acting skills and comedic ability in the role, of a character that is never actually shown in the original play. A character that seems just to be longed after but quickly forgotten when Juliet enters the scene. From heartbroken to plotting, Rosaline displays the whole gambit of emotions that any jilted lover would – but it seems the universe is against her or leading her in the right direction.
Viewers will also do a double-take when Romeo enters the scene. Played by Kyle Allen, older viewers will see a hint of both Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his appearance and acting skills. And while he most likely, will have younger viewers swooning – Romeo is very minor in this story and barely shares screen time to his fair Rosaline.
It’s nice to see this story taken on and approached differently, not just regurgitated over and over again. It probably is one of the more creative retellings of the old classic and can be enjoyed over and over again.
Obviously, there will be purists that won’t be a fan, but anyone in the mood for a fun Rom-com and a movie full of laughs will love it. And the best part, since it’s being released on Hulu they can watch it on repeat if they want.
Rosaline is available to stream this Friday on Hulu, and will have you laughing through a story you may not know as well as you thought!
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About Rosaline:
“Rosaline” is a fresh and comedic twist on Shakespeare’s classic love story “Romeo & Juliet,” told from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever), who also happens to be Romeo’s recent love interest. Heartbroken when Romeo (Kyle Allen) meets Juliet (Isabela Merced) and begins to pursue her, Rosaline schemes to foil the famous romance and win back her guy.
