This production had great potential from the very beginning. 'Romeo and Juliet' is another one of Shakespeare's best, most iconic and most quotable plays. Have always liked Kenneth Branagh as an actor and director, and am a long term admirer of his Shakespeare interpretations ever since seeing his wonderful 'Much Ado About Nothing' in school. It was also great to see Richard Madden and Lily James back together after triumphing in 'Cinderella' (one of the few Disney live-action remakes worth watching), also directed by Branagh.
Actually liked this production of 'Romeo and Juliet' more than the previous reviewer did respectfully. It is a different interpretation, for the setting, an older Mercutio and Capulet that seems to be in constant anger throughout, but an interesting one. The staging was a bit uneven for me and did prefer Branagh's quite magical production of 'The Winter's Tale' from the previous year that was also broadcast live at cinemas, but this 'Romeo and Juliet' still managed to be very well performed and moving enough.
Branagh's 'Romeo and Juliet' is imperfect in my view. Not all the characterisation works, Juliet is too knowing and mature too soon that stops Juliet from evolving from an inexperienced child to wife believably and strips her of her later vulnerability somewhat. Found Capulet for my tastes too much of a brute for no real reason and Michael Rouse came over as too histrionic and constantly angry in the role.
Did find the staging of the balcony scene a little underwhelming, with Romeo spending most of the scene with his back turned to Juliet the romance struck me as too distant.
Madden however is a youthful and passionate Romeo, with an ardour and appealing brashness. James matches him very well in an equally passionate and charming performance that never falls into passiveness, she is incredibly touching in the latter stages. While the balcony scene disappoints due to the stage direction their chemistry is fresh and immensely likeable, their love obvious later on. It has also some nice humour, like with Juliet's giddiness and Mercutio's sarcasm and witticisms. Two other acting standouts are Derek Jacobi and Neera Syal. Jacobi is much older than the conventional Mercutios, and did seem like improbable casting on paper, but is every bit as loyal and amusing with a dapper touch, his decades old experience in Shakespeare is very obvious in his clear understanding and embodying of the text. His account of the Queen Mab speech is one of the more interesting takes of that particular part of the play. Syal is a lot of fun as the Nurse and steals all her scenes. Ansu Kabia is a charismatic and menacing Tybalt and Samuel Valentine is a noble and wise Friar Laurence (younger than most though).
Furthermore, the production is well made on a visual level. It may not be a traditional production, but actually liked very much its decadent yet alluring mix of 'West Side Story' and 'La Dolce Vita' in the set design and atmosphere. The costumes aren't a stylistic mishmash like other non-traditional productions for plays (and opera and ballet) and there is a sense of time and place, they fit the period and actually look appealing. The visuals in the Queen Mab speech, the beautifully lit tombs and the use of white lace stand out. Patrick Doyle's score is sumptuous and avoids being melodramatic or used too much. Shakespeare's text has all the emotion and flow that is necessary, and while not all the stage direction works much of it is tasteful and has the tension and emotional impact needed. The final scene is moving.
All in all, well done but not exceptional. 7/10
