Romeo and Juliet: A Love Song

Overview

Concrete Playground has five double passes to give away to Romeo and Juliet: A Love Song, which opens in cinemas on Thursday, September 12 2013. Click here to enter.

Director Tim van Dammen calls it Romeo and Juliet for the Youtube generation and I reckon that's pretty apt. His twist on the classic love story is in fact an opera. Not exactly the genre that defines the youth of today but then this is not your typical opera; the music alternates between rock, hip hop, gospel and pop. It may sound far-fetched but it works. In fact the voices which bring the Bard's text to life are one of the strongest aspects of the film. Like Baz Luhrmann's hugely popular version, this film is going to appeal more to the 20 somethings than any other age group.

Set in Verona Campground (Waipu Cove) next to a picturesque beach this is trailer trash heaven. Two feuding families are camping side by side over the summer holidays. Endless sun, beer, beach and boredom leads to building resentment. You know the story but the way this film is portrayed is quite different. Skinny black jeans, thick black eyeliner, denim jackets, bandanas, tie-dye t-shirts, campervans are all part of the aesthetic which so accurately captures the bogan / gypsy  look which is both identifiably Kiwi and yet universal at the same time.

The actors are a mix of familiar and unknown characters. They don't sing the songs themselves but lip sync and with varying degrees of success. Romeo (Christopher Landon) and Juliet (Derya Parlak) are both models by trade and while Parlak makes a pretty good go of the emotional depth required of her character, Landon could be more convincing. But they both certainly look the part; they are by far the most beautiful people in the campground. Tybalt, played by Dan Veint, is my favourite of the supporting characters; the intensity he brings to the role is just right.

To keep the viewers entertained before the star struck lovers meet for the first time van Dammen weaves comedy into the drama with a reasonable amount of success. Think Bro Town meets Outrageous Fortune; ridiculous dance moves, urine-filled balloons, the classically geeky suitor - it all provokes much laughter from the audience. And I love the way the beach holiday setting is used to its full potential. The famous 'balcony scene' occurs with Juliet atop her dingy caravan, the couple is chased by Tybalt through the dark 'alleyways' of the park and the friar lives in a beautifully lit and mysterious cave. It's hard to imagine a more perfect setting for a forbidden wedding.

It's obvious why Romeo and Juliet: A Love Song is already garnering interest from overseas distributors. It looks great, sounds fantastic and despite some slightly uneven performances, it's a rollicking good time.

To read the Concrete Playground interview with the film's director Tim van Dammen, click here.