JULIET NAKED (2018)

Directed By: Jesse Peretz 
Written By: Jim Tayler, Tamara Jenkins & Evgenia Peretz 
Based On The Novel By: Nick Hornby 
Cinematography By: Remi Adefarisan 
Editor: Sabine Hoffman & Robert Nassau 
Music By: Nathan Larson 


Cast: Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, Chris O’Dowd, Ayoola Smart 

Annie is stuck in a long-term relationship with Duncan - an obsessive fan of obscure rocker Tucker Crowe. 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.


Taking the path of showing fan boy obsessive character and more putting them in the background and shifting focus to the long suffering girlfriend who has to deal with this. Taking a kind of backseat to their loves love of objects and folklore that makes them feel Creative and totally ignoring their feelings and hopes. Out of comfort and probably hoping a little that they might become the to see be over then eventually.

Now while the film is enjoyable and takes a different look at the romantic comedy genre. It’s only misstep is the plot point of him cheating. As it seem more convenient for her eventual romance rather then having to choose and competition form a new suitor.

The film humanizes most of the characters. As the main Character is attracted but isn’t focused on a liaison or romance and at first just finds a connection and friendship and learns to take more risks and gain confidence. Just as it focuses on the rock star played by Ethan hawks and brings a reality to him and having to grow up and face his responsibilities that he has run away from.

It’s a great role for Ethan Hawke as it lets him kind of relate his past celebrity and heartthrob status and deal with the aftermath. It is also the most lighthearted performance that he has given and appeared in for a while. Especially after giving such a strong one earlier this year in the film FIRST REFORMED.

Rose Byrne while always a string and interesting actress. She has always been adept at comedy usually over the top. While here she is more the straight man. She still gives a strong turn and is quite appealing in the lead of her own romantic comedy that asks more of her than to be the damsel who is either a heartbreaker, a wife, a girlfriend. Here she is a woman who is in a relationship has started out loving then turned more into convenience and is afraid to be on her own until forced and once she is gets put into a dream lien situation that comes with it’s own reality of problems.

It's nice that the film offers up a protagonist who through romance seems that she has to love life and take more chances and that the answer isn't being someone’s Wife. More living life for herself and if love and romance is involved take it how it comes as more of a gift or extravagance but not letting it be the main or only thing. Which works against what most romantic comedies try to say about female characters. Where the problem is they pay too much attention to careers and not enough to love lives or romance.

It even deals with a female character looking more to have a fling or a hook up somewhat rather then looking For an immediate relationship Considering the screenwriting talent behind the film. You might expect a stronger and more affecting film. That might feel more realistic and gritty when you have the writer directors behind ABOUT SCHMIDT, ELECTION and THE SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS writing.

The film Offers the other side of HIGH FIDELITY. More of a point of view for the long suffering girlfriend. Who hopes that at least partially not only that her boyfriend will grow up but show a quarter of interest in her and their further together.

As the film also offers a look at middle age. Where men are still obsessed with culture from their youth as it reminds them of better times. Sometimes to the point of obsession trying to mythologize their own lives and move onto the current times which might not be as promising and have to lead on their own instead of following. Just as it deals with women who have to be brave enough to also move on and not necessarily base their happiness on settling for what they think or what society thinks is best for them.

Ethan Hawke feels fresh yet lived in and seems an odd fit that brings the movie out of it’s routine. Even if he just feels like his character from REALITY BITES all grown up and trying to be responsible after setting many Flying into the arms of the clueless indifferent bad boy he played and here while playing responsible also endears another generation of women to swoon.

Ayoola Smart is quite striking in her supporting role. You wish there was more of her in this film. As that dynamic seems to begin working itself out before it is soon put on the back burner.

One appreciates it ends happily but not in ways you might expect it to. Where certain plots are resolved but. It necessarily in the lovely dicey cute ways we are accustomed to.

Even as the film feels formulaic it feels more adult minded though it is quirky. As it seems to consider the characters as human beings flawed and all. It doesn’t seem to have wacky things happen randomly just so it can be funny or keep the audiences attention. The film feels like it makes choices that either rewards or punishes but those decisions are final.


Grade: C+