Film Review: Juliet, Naked Is A Classic, Adult Rom-Com
SYNOPSIS: Annie (Rose Byrne) is stuck in a long-term relationship with Duncan (Chris O’Dowd) – an obsessive fan of obscure rocker Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke). When the acoustic demo of Tucker’s hit record from 25 years ago surfaces, its release leads to a life-changing encounter with the elusive rocker himself. Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, JULIET, NAKED is a comic account of life’s second chances.
While I may adore my tales of young love, the truth is that love is a “grown-up” game. At times, we get warped into the supermarket novels or the CW interpretations of romance that are “cheesily” good. Yet, Juliet, Naked is a story about “adult love,” and having to figure out how to open your heart after many failures doing so.
Rose Byrne is Annie. She is 40 years old, and having a bit of a crisis. She has been in a ten year relationship with a man who does not want kids, still lives in her small hometown, and has never gotten into “trouble.” As she sees her life becoming a loop of the same arguments, routines, and regretful wonders of what could have been, Annie becomes highly relatable. She leaps from the screen like a cooler, more modernized Bridget Jones; a woman who may not get into awkward situations, but feels ashamed that she had never “done” anything she wanted: from kids to living in the city. Based on the Nick Hornby novel, the script by Evgenia Peretz, Jim Taylor, and Tamara Jenkins grabs the humor and heart of this book about two heartbroken adults. Yet, heartbreak is not just about crushed relationships as much as crushed dreams.
Ethan Hawke as Tucker Crowe is a complete charm, and waltzes onto the screen like a pirate stealing attention. He is both carefree and completely fractured that despite all his talent and personality, not one person, besides his beloved son Jackson, can say he was a good presence in their life. From his exes to his kids, Tucker has disappeared to wallow into his selfish decisions. Hence, Director Jesse Peretz frames and paces Tucker and Annie’s relationship as one where Tucker learns to be more caring of others, while Annie learns to be more caring of herself. They, in essence, exchange wisdom to each other, and, naturally, sparks fly. Audiences will love Hawke and Byrne’s simple, mature chemistry, and will laugh at Chris O’Dowd’ hilarious Duncan.
Playing Annie’s ex, O’Dowd’s Duncan steals scenes by representing how CRAZY online fandoms can be. He is obsessed with Tucker Crowe’s music, and never expects his ex-girlfriend to meet or fall for his idol. Even worse, his icon falls in love with her, as well. Obviously, this is a recipe for humor and adages like, “never meet your idols!” Yet, Duncan amplifies a theme within Juliet, Naked: the differences between and reasons for building fantasy life vs. our real one. Annie, Duncan, and Tucker are all characters that are heading towards the “midlife,” and asking themselves whether they chose their happiness. Duncan may be deluded by Tucker’s life and career, but everyone in this film is questioning why illusions stopped them from making better choices, which is such an “adult” thing to feel.
The older you get, the more regret you acquire. Suddenly, your “bounce-back” rate from poor decisions and poorer relationships begins to dissipate. Moreover, their impacts on your life and others lasts way more then you would like. Yet, Juliet, Naked is a quietly, optimistic film. As Tucker and Annie fall in love, you see that though it may be hard to choose your joy, it is never too late. Juliet, Naked Comes Out In Theaters August 17.
