Juliet, Naked (Jesse Peretz, 2018)

[Brian C]

Was hoping this would be a relief from the annual late-summer theatrical doldrums, as it came pretty heavily recommended from a friend who saw it earlier in the year at some festival or other. But it's an aggressively middle-of-the-road effort with lifeless performances (aside from a decent turn by Ethan Hawke) and a genuine lack of emotional imagination on the part of the filmmakers. The bones are here for a decent movie, as it deals with real issues that aren't seen in movies very often, but it frankly just never feels like anyone aside from Hawke really gives a shit. Feels like a real wasted opportunity.

[thirtyframesasecond]

Juliet, Naked (Jesse Peretz, 2018)

Was hoping this would be a relief from the annual late-summer theatrical doldrums, as it came pretty heavily recommended from a friend who saw it earlier in the year at some festival or other. But it's an aggressively middle-of-the-road effort with lifeless performances (aside from a decent turn by Ethan Hawke) and a genuine lack of emotional imagination on the part of the filmmakers. The bones are here for a decent movie, as it deals with real issues that aren't seen in movies very often, but it frankly just never feels like anyone aside from Hawke really gives a shit. Feels like a real wasted opportunity.

It's a Nick Hornby novel, isn't it? I'm guessing it's a man-child who's obsessed about music (or something else), with a girlfriend/wife who's way too good for him and is frustrated by his obsessions. Man comes around to appreciate her. The end.

[Brian C]

You got the setup right but not really the payoff.

[Roger Ryan]

Depending on how much tolerance you have for Hornby's tropes, I found Juliet, Naked to be one of the best adaptations of his work. Not as strong as High Fidelity, but certainly better than About A Boy, Fever Pitch, and A Long Way Down. I found the entire cast appealing and I admired how the film avoided mawkishness. Plus, a great soundtrack; you can't go wrong choosing "Waterloo Sunset" to be showcased in your film.