JULIET, NAKED. You’re Likely to Have a Good Time

When you pair the terms “Ethan Hawke” and “romantic comedy,” the first thing that likely comes to mind is Richard Linklater’s romantic trilogy about Jesse and Céline. And understandably so. But in 2018 a film hit theaters that, upon hearing those very keywords, should also immediately spring to mind. We’re talking, of course, about Juliet, Naked — a rather successful adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel.

The book, written by the author of bestsellers like About a Boy and A Long Way Down, was brought to the screen by Jesse Peretz, who until then had mostly been directing television series.

The main character of Juliet, Naked is Annie (Rose Byrne), approaching forty. Her life revolves around her partner Duncan (Chris O’Dowd) and his unusual obsession. Duncan is fascinated by Tucker Crowe (played by the aforementioned Ethan Hawke) — a rock star who vanished from the public eye immediately after releasing his debut album. Duncan devotes all his free time to running an online forum for fans who share his obsession, spinning ever-more absurd theories about what might be happening with his idol today.

Eventually, overwhelmed by Duncan’s passion, Annie reaches her limit. After an argument, she posts a negative review of the demo version of Crowe’s only album — Juliet, Naked (hence the film’s original title) — which, for Duncan, is an absolute sacred relic. Unexpectedly, Annie is contacted by Tucker himself, intrigued by her unusual post.

Thankfully, Jesse Peretz’s film is far more than another formulaic romantic comedy. Above all, it is a story about taking responsibility for choices made in youth and confronting lofty expectations of the past with the harsh reality of the present. At the beginning of their relationship, Annie insisted she would never want children — something that suited Duncan perfectly. Today, she longs for unconditional love in the form of a child, something Duncan flatly refuses, reminding her of her earlier declarations.

Tucker Crowe, once a notorious womanizer and rising rock star, now does what he can to repair the mistakes of his youth. The symbol of his redemption is his youngest son, Jackson, whom he cares for with great dedication.

The film’s undeniable strength is its leading duo: Rose Byrne and Ethan Hawke. Byrne has the chance to play in something not only light and funny, but also thought-provoking. Her Annie is a strong yet deeply sensitive woman — capable of firmly standing up to Duncan (as in the album review incident), yet profoundly affected by his refusal to have children. Ethan Hawke is equally convincing; we never doubt Tucker Crowe’s honest intentions for a moment, and we root for both his efforts to raise Jackson well and his attempts to mend the relationship with the daughter he neglected for years.

Unfortunately, Peretz’s film also has its shortcomings. It takes quite a while to truly get going. For the first half of the runtime, we watch little more than Annie and Duncan’s everyday life in a not particularly interesting English seaside town. Exposition is, of course, important, but in Juliet, Naked it simply lasts too long. Another problem is Duncan himself — or, perhaps, Chris O’Dowd’s portrayal of him. Whether due to the talent of his co-stars or the character being underwritten, the result is that Duncan comes across as oddly bland throughout the entire film.

His traits seem limited to his passion for Crowe’s music, his aversion to having children (why?), and his general interest in the arts (he lectures on film at a university). We learn nothing more — which is a shame, because with a better-crafted or more charismatic portrayal, the film could have delivered a truly compelling love triangle: Duncan – Annie – Tucker.

Still, none of this should discourage you from watching Juliet, Naked. You can easily choose it for a solo viewing or as a film to enjoy with your significant other. Either way, you’re likely to have a good time. And who knows — perhaps, following Annie and Tucker’s example, you’ll find yourself reflecting on the decisions from your past that shaped the course of your life.