Juliet Naked: Who should watch the romance with Ethan Hawke?
The novels of the British writer Nick Hornby (61) are popular with lovers of pop literature as a cult. Now, with "Juliet, Naked" another work of the bestselling author has made it to the cinema. The story was filmed as a romantic comedy by director Jesse Peretz (50). In the leading roles: Ethan Hawke (48) as a lost rock star Tucker Crowe, Rose Byrne (39) as annoyed by the quirks of her partner Annie and Chris O'Dowd (39) as a dogged fan Duncan. Is a walk to the cinema worthwhile for the romance?
What is it about?
Duncan (Chris O'Dowd) is obsessed with Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke) - as well as 500 other fans who frolic in Duncan's Fan Forum and diligently express absurd theories about his disappearance. Tucker Crowe disappeared a long time ago during the break of a concert and has since been lost. The only thing he left behind is his album "Juliet", on which he once sang a broken relationship.
Duncan's girlfriend Annie (Rose Byrne) is incredibly annoyed by this. Until one day an envelope falls into her hands that is actually addressed to her friend. The package contains the original versions of the songs from the legendary Tucker Crowe album under the title "Juliet, Naked". While the forum rages with enthusiasm, Annie publishes a secret tearing. And then gets an email from Tucker Crowe, who finally feels understood after all these years ...
Is the cinema visit worthwhile?
What lasts many, many e-mails in the book, goes relatively quickly in the film. Due to the pleasant length of about 90 minutes, it comes much faster than in the book for the first meeting between Tucker and Annie. That the chemistry between the actors Rose Byrne and Ethan Hawke is right, you notice the comedy, because the relationship of their two characters is the heart of the film. Cleverly, they translate the wit and humor from Hornby's novel.
Chris O'Dowds role of the obsessed fan Duncan, who lives completely in his own world and somehow does not seem to survive alone, is just super annoying - and thus the perfect counterpart to Annie and Tucker. Sugar sweet are also the appearances of Tucker's little son Jackson (played by Azhy Robertson). This comes from the relationship with his third wife, on whose farm in Pennsylvania he may still live after the separation. Without the childlike wisdom of the six-year-old, the film would only be half as beautiful.
If one had to describe the filming of "Juliet, Naked" with three adjectives, would probably end up with "warmhearted, affectionate and funny" on the note. Because this is exactly what Peretz has achieved: He has staged a lovable feel-good cinema around Nick Hornby's fictional characters, which is perfect for a foggy afternoon or a lazy Sunday. Do not go wrong with a visit to the cinema - assuming you like romantic comedies and Nick Hornby's anti-hero novels.
Because despite all romanticism, this is not necessarily in the foreground. Much more, the film revolves around fears and quirks, with which probably every man has to fight. And that Ethan Hawke is perfectly suited for the role of the charming Lebemannes, he has already proven sufficiently in "Before Sunrise" (1995) and "Boyhood" (2014).
