If every generation gets the “Romeo and Juliet” it deserves, well, Gen Z may have to wait a little longer for theirs. Sundance’s entry may not be “R # J,” which is so intense in the moment that it almost feels old-fashioned before the credits arrive.
For his first feature, director Carey Williams uses Screenlife – in which the whole story expands on mechanics – to retell Shakespeare’s timeless story, with a few highlights. This time, Romeo and Juliet fall in love while DMing emojis and gifs from “The Office. ”Purists don’t have to be involved, of course, but that’s okay: the Poet can stand up to definitions at any time. Then again, where is the honor in Dwight Schrute? And can we really consider almost nude selfies (So. Many. Selfies.) A worthy update?
What “R # J” goes for is a diverse picture that reflects a wider range of adolescence than most variations.