Rosaline is a hilariously fun twist on a classic story. Things change where you least expect them to, making this an entertaining watch.
Rosaline Movie Review
Everyone knows the story of Romeo of Juliet, but they don’t know this version of it. The new Hulu film, titled Rosaline, tells the tale through the eyes of Romeo’s ex-girlfriend and offers up quite a few differences to the events we think we know. An absolutely hilarious and unique take on the narrative makes Rosaline one of the most entertaining Hulu movies to date.
Audiences might think they know where this movie is going, but we assure you, they don’t. With very little focus on Romeo and Juliet, and a whole lot of focus on Rosaline’s scheming to win Romeo back, this is the story of the two star-crossed lovers like you’ve never seen before.
What Works With Rosaline
Surprisingly really, really funny, this is a romantic comedy like no other. It cracks jokes right from the very start, and never slows down. Kaitlyn Dever plays the role of Rosaline, who is unafraid to tell it like it is. She is spunky, sassy, and bold. This character is willing to do anything to get what she wants, and she doesn’t shy away from being blunt when talking to others. Rosaline doesn’t feel like she belongs in a Shakespearean story, which is why she works so well in this one.
Even though she is manipulating her little cousin, Juliet, and being straight up rude to many others in her life like her father and Dario, there is a likability about her that Dever helps to shine through with her performance. She isn’t a nice person, but that doesn’t stop you from rooting for her to get what she wants, or at the very least realize what she actually needs.
Dever isn’t the only standout of the movie though, as most of the cast fills their roles perfectly. Isabela Merced plays Juliet, who is innocent and lovable. Spencer Stevenson is Paris and offers up some of the very best lines in the whole film. His comedic timing and facial expressions do wonders for the character and will make audiences everywhere fall in love with him. Dever and Stevenson are a great comedic duo.
Kyle Allen brings a totally new side to Romeo, once that we certainly didn’t see when Leonardo DiCaprio played the role in 1996. This version of Romeo is a bit more dense, however it is his ex telling the story, so that checks out. We often want to remember the worst version of our exes. Sean Teale is wonderful as Dario, giving us a closer look at a character we don’t know anything about. He is a great addition to the tale.
Last but certainly not least, Minnie Driver delivers quite a few quips herself as the nurse. She has some key moments in the movie. While she isn’t a main character, she is still an important one.
What Doesn’t Work With Rosaline
Rosaline is just ninety minutes long, which is a great length for a romantic comedy like this. There are a few moments where it drags, especially towards the beginning, but overall it moves at a decent pace.
One of the biggest issues with this movie is that it feels like it holds back every once in a while. It has a PG-13 rating, but it is quite mild. There are several moments where the envelope could have been pushed more to really drive some points home.
Overall Thoughts on Rosaline
This new and unique take on Romeo and Juliet is very entertaining. A whole lot funnier than expected, there is a lot about this movie that truly works. The cast is fantastic and really puts their heart and soul into their characters. Opting for a lot of different events, but still telling a story that is set in the same time period was a brilliant choice. There was no need to propel this into modern times and we are thankful they did not go that route. We are also very happy that we didn’t have to listen to the actors speak in Shakespearean for ninety minutes.
While it isn’t perfect, it is a cute romantic comedy that will have viewers chuckling throughout, and even laughing out loud quite a few times. It is a fun take on a well known story, and it is nice to see something different from what we are used to.
Oh, don’t turn Rosaline off the second the credits start to roll because there is a mid-credit scene that adds a lot to the story.
A hilariously fun twist on a classic story, Rosaline surprises where it is least expected. Kaitlyn Dever steals the show as the lead, helping to make this a don’t miss romantic comedy.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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About Rosaline
Rosaline is a fresh and comedic twist on Shakespeare’s classic love story “Romeo & Juliet,” told from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever), who also happens to be Romeo’s recent love interest. Heartbroken when Romeo (Kyle Allen) meets Juliet (Isabela Merced) and begins to pursue her, Rosaline schemes to foil the famous romance and win back her guy.
Rosaline is streaming exclusively on Hulu starting October 14th.
