I wrote
about this when I saw the lead, Seth Numrich, play the lead in “Golden Boy” on
Broadway. He dazzled me and so I watched
this movie. I have since learned he a
star in “Turn” on AMC, so I will start watching that ASAP.
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| Matt Doyle and Seth Numrich |
.
Anywho,
Private Romeo passes one of the strongest tests there is for a movie. I started watching it at home, and Ed (ED!)
stopped whatever he was doing to sit and watch it with me. iPad- less!
.
It is Romeo
and Juliet set in a young man’s military academy. It uses the original Shakespearian dialog,
and interestingly cuts between two different ways of presenting the play. It starts with the young men reading the play
for a make-up class (most of the school is off for break – these guys where
either kept on base, or didn’t have a place to go for the holidays).
.
So in class,
some have to read the parts of women, and play them funny and overly campy for
exaggerated effect, as young men would to not appear gay. Then, first with the non-romantic pieces –
the guys (they are too old to be “boys”, but not supposed to yet be “men”) say
the lines appropriately during basketball games, studying etc.
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| Matt and Seth looking more "Military Academy"as in the movie |
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So,
ultimately, it is a gay story – but it doesn’t fell “gay”. It feels … (searching for the word)…
youthful. You know, that youthful crush
phase that is aching and will last forever when you are in it. Then you look back fondly a decade
later. And back wistfully 3 decades
later.
.
Matt
Doyle (as Glen/Juliet) is from TV and is very good. But Seth Numrich as Sam/Romeo is wonderful.
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| Seth Numrich as Sam |