Private Romeo

By: Thom Cardwell
In-House Review - Jun 22 2011

The greatest romantic story ever told is given a dramatically sexy, gay twist when eight high school cadets are left to their own volition on the isolated campus of their military school.

Their classroom study of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet spills out into their dormitories and lives - causing the distractingly handsome youths to erupt into wild passion with more boy-on-boy kissing than the Bard could ever have imagined.

Private Romeo, not the first gay interpretation of a Shakespearean play, breathes a peculiarly smart, homoerotic edge into everything - from the love dynamic to the family feuding - with gusto, mystery and tenderness.

The rivalry and physicality of the boys' interpretation of the poetic lines lends freshness to both the words and actions, resonating beyond the viewer's momentary experience. Incorporating YouTube videos and lip-synched indie rock music into the mix, the clever, intelligent retelling of the star-crossed lovers takes on an entirely new, exciting and contemporary meaning with grace and style. Screenwriter/director Alan Brown has created his own endearingly original classic in its own category.

By: KevinD

Sorry, but 38 minutes into the film I just couldn't take anymore and had to shut it off. Iambic pentameter? really? I didn't care for it when I was to read it back in college and I didn't think it added anything to this film. Shakespeare with a gay twist? Kind of. Confusing, sometimes hard to follow story line? Definitely. I give it two stars for the hot boys, but that's about it.

By: Bryce

I usually never review products, but after watching this movie I felt I needed to encourage others to watch this film. The premise is a modern day Romeo/Juliet romance at a boy's military academy. There are 8 young men in the film, a very small cast but they all truly express the story in such a way that you don't care that it is about 95% of actual script from Shakespeare. The actually filming of the movie really felt powerful. Many of the scenes were filmed in low lighting which adds some power to the scenes. There is also a slight twist at the end of the film which I was really pleased to see.

Lastly while this film in not rated, in my opinion it would receive a PG rating. There is no nudity beyond guys without their shirts on, and there are only a few kisses between Romeo/Juliet which last perhaps 45 seconds total throughout the entire film. It is a very tastefully well made film which I am very proud to have in my collection. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys: gay cinema, a beautiful romance story between the two very sexy young leads, Shakespeare, or simply a very cleverly made film that draws you in and tells a wonderful story.

By: just a reviewer

Brotherhood and Love....and not about the bashing....and not about the hate....and not about the struggle. Because...I think we need more films like that....I think we need more things saying that Love is Universal....and it is beautiful, no matter what. And I'm really proud to be a part of this project."

(( These words are the heartfelt expressions of Matty Doyle (Glenn / Juliet), in preparing to give an encore rendition of "You Made Me Love You", at the following YouTube link: matt doyle you made me love you ))

(( 3.5 STARS AWARDED ))

Bringing life and passion to a 400+ year old play is a gutsy, yet potentially tricky endeavor. In doing so, Director Alan Brown had a "Nice" idea (he's had them before). BUT...will raw Shakespeare (let alone with a cast not-trained-in-Shakespeare) pull in everyday Gay viewers around the world? Time and return on expenses will tell. Though I personally hunger for the success of this film work, that "BUT" remains a potential killer for his efforts.

Still and all, if anything can keep this film work alive...and long remembered...it will the touching, yet sizzling, Love Story given us by Seth Numrich (Sam / Romeo) and Matt Doyle (Glenn / Juliet). They hold absolutely nothing back in both their emotional and physical lovemaking. Their scenes together are oh-so-easy for this reviewer to play, and replay again.

BUT, now I must be honest...and say that about the basics of this Story---the basics of Shakespeare---I am ill-equipped to give you more. Yet, there is someone....someone from the several existing reviews of this film, whose deeply descriptive and perceptive words say it all. And those words belong to Rachel Schweissinger, and can be found in her May 19, 2012 review at Amazon.com, entitled: "Outstanding, Heartbreaking, Haunting, Beautiful". Do yourself a favor and read them.

PS--Thank you, Matt Doyle, for giving us a today's rendition of "You Made Me Love You." It's right up there with another favorite---Harry Nilsson's 1973 track. And last, perhaps you'll consider another visit to "Feinsteins" and give us your go at R&J's true Signature Song: "Always" (Harry needs the competition.)

By: Amos Lassen

We are very lucky to have such a creative community and I have to hand it to director Alan Brown for the ingenious idea for his new film, "Private Romeo". He takes the "Romeo and Juliet" idea and updates it to make it relevant for us and the whole concept is amazing.
Eight cadets who are left behind at an isolated military high school find that the story of Romeo and Juliet becomes part of their lives. They take the original text and add You Tube videos, Indie rock music and their own ideas and we go to a very mysterious and private place. Being attracted to another cadet at a military school can be very dangerous but as we all know, there are no boundaries when it comes to love.
McKinley Military Academy becomes a place where romance and trouble walk hand in hand as the cadets there prepare a modern retelling of a classic love story. Everything starts in a classroom where the student cadets read "Romeo and Juliet" and then the plot leaves the academic study and becomes a way for the boys to actually live out the play. The cadets become the characters in the drama and they quickly divide themselves between the Montagues and the Capulets. The first kiss is dreamy but the two characters involved sense that they want more than a kiss. Juliet, our male student and Romeo, another male student listen to their hearts and ignore the stares they get from their fellow students. As the two families feud, the students experience forbidden love and "All's Well That Ends Well".
Some of the original dialogue is kept in the film and we become aware how relevant Shakespeare is even today. Interestingly enough is that director Brown only cast Shakespearean trained actors in his film and we see some very fine acting and this is want males this movie so special. Mercutio played by Hale Appleman is brilliant and Broadway stars Matt Doyle and Seth Numrich are ideal as the young lovers.