Sunday, August 22, 2010

Romeo & Juliet


On Friday I spent the afternoon watching the Franco Zeffirelli movie version of "Romeo & Juliet," which I've loved ever since I first saw it on a field trip in the ninth grade. I remember getting on a bus with my classmates and going into Tampa one morning to see the film at an old theater on Hillsborough Avenue. The theater has since been demolished -- it was probably struggling even then, and making money by showing that movie in the morning to scheduled groups of school children.

It's interesting that we were shown that film, because it does have a racy moment -- Romeo and Juliet in bed together, naked, and not entirely covered up. I can't help but think that some parents today would flip out if their kids were shown that scene on a school-sponsored trip. But I asked my friend Barbara, who's a high school English teacher, and she said she still shows it to her classes, so maybe I'm not giving modern parents enough credit.

I was surprised at how much I'd forgotten about the plot. I forgot, for example, that Romeo and Juliet got secretly married. A fairly major event!

Years ago, I had a best friend who was also a romantic interest -- a classic dilemma for many people, I suppose, and certainly many gay guys. One of our common bonds was an enthusiasm for Zeffirelli's "Romeo & Juliet." But over the ten years I was close to this friend, he gradually evolved and his personality dramatically changed. In the waning days of our relationship, I said something positive about the movie and he said, "Well, I think it's a little overwrought." I remember thinking, "Who is this person?" I knew we were coming to the end!

(Photo: A plant growing outside an apartment building in Greenwich Village, last Monday.)

5 comments:

  1. Dennis loved Olivia Hussey in that film ... but really really loved John McEnery as Mercutio. (Dennis says Mercutio is his favorite character in R & J) Check out McEnery's performance in a film called " Le Bateau sur l'herbe " about two guys and their friendship. Dennis liked it.

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  2. I hope the new job and schedule work out. I also saw the film you mention and loved Olivia Hussey in the role of Juliet.

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  3. Beautiful film, but I have to admit my favourite is the Baz Luhrmann version.
    I went to see the latter with a very good friend (and she's still a very good friend) and she moaned about it during the film and all the way home afterwards. She just didn't get it.
    Don't think she would have liked the Sam Mendes production of As You like It that I saw recently, either!

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  4. Yep, everything has a life span, even relationships.

    Was just talking about this film Saturday night with friends at dinner. I guess it's going on my netflix list!

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  5. I know the movie like the back of my hand. I watch it whenever it's on cable and never tire of the dialog, the costumes, the story or the music. Love the photograph as well. xoxo.

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