Romeo and Juliet - C+

Rated PG-13, 97 minutes

Handsomely filmed but bland version of "Romeo and Juliet" lacks passion

Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth

Shakespeare's epic, tragic play "Romeo and Juliet" comes to life in a new version with help from the creator of TV's immensely popular "Downton Abbey." Handsomely staged and well cast, this blander version of "R&J" lacks the passion of previous versions, including Zeffirelli's 1968 popular film and Baz Luhrmann's 1996 MTV-inspired take on the star-crossed lovers. Romeo (British TV actor Douglas Booth) and Juliet ("True Grit's" Hailee Steinfeld) fall in love in Renaissance-era Verona though the two come from rival families that seemingly make it impossible for their love to survive. Directed by Italian film director Carlo Carlei, it's written by Julian Fellowes of "Downton Abbey" fame based on Shakespeare's tragic play, it has some impassioned moments but lacks the intensity and fervor of its original source. The film has already stirred controversy by not using Shakespeare's original dialogue, though it still follows the traditional setting and plotting of the play, which is actually not a bad idea (but a very risky one) to help contemporary audiences understand some of the deeper meanings of Shakespeare's work. That risk doesn't seem to pay off as it only seems to skim the surface of many issues, and this "Romeo and Juliet," while serviceable, overall is a vapid, sometimes uneven take on the tragic lovers. It would help, for example, if all the actors used accents, some do, some don't and some attempts at it are feeble, a jarring move that makes it feel more like a high school play; it also seems to delve into the young pair's relationship quickly without much backstory. The photography, costumes and music are all very nice, but the movie would've benefited from a stronger director to better execute its creative risks. Steinfeld and Booth are well-cast as the titular characters, though Oscar-nominee Paul Giamatti, the most well-known of the cast, upstages them in a supporting role as Friar Laurence, while Australian Kodi Smit-McPhee ("Let Me In") is also memorable as a tender Benvolio. The ending, of course, is the most compelling part of any version of "Romeo and Juliet," and this version is no different, too bad the rest of the film lacks the passion of those final moments. For Shakespearean purists, I wouldn't recommend it, for those unfamiliar with it, it's a mildly entertaining, though flavorless take on the classic tale.

Wes's Grade: C+