Watch Private Romeo

Private Romeo is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's classic play Romeo and Juliet, set in a secluded military academy. The film, directed by Alan Brown, was released in 2011 and stars Hale Appleman as Sam Singleton, the protagonist and Romeo figure, and Charlie Barnett as Glenn Mangan, the object of Sam's affections and Juliet figure.

The movie begins with a group of teenage cadets being dropped off at a deserted military academy for a six-week training session. Among them is Sam Singleton, a poetic and bookish cadet who quickly falls for his fellow recruit, Glenn Mangan. However, their love story is complicated by the strict rules of the academy, which forbids any form of romantic or sexual activity between cadets.

Despite this, Sam and Glenn begin to explore their attraction to each other through secret meetings, stolen kisses, and whispered confessions of love. As their relationship deepens, they become more and more emboldened in their defiance of the academy's rules, particularly when their classmates begin to suspect that they are more than just friends.

The film's scenes are framed within the context of the characters rehearsing their lines from Shakespeare's play, with the events of the play taking place as a figurative representation of the events between Sam and Glenn. As the story progresses, the line between the play and reality becomes more and more blurred, leading to several powerful moments of dramatic irony.

Throughout the film, the audience is also introduced to a host of other characters from the original play, including characters such as Mercutio, Tybalt, and Friar Lawrence - all of whom serve as teachers at the academy, offering guidance and support to their students while also imparting lessons on love, death, and loyalty.

Private Romeo is a unique and engaging exploration of Shakespeare's play, offering a fresh interpretation of the timeless tale of star-crossed lovers. The film is buoyed by strong performances from the main cast, particularly Appleman and Barnett, whose chemistry and vulnerability makes their relationship all the more compelling.

The film's use of language is also worth noting, with Brown and his team crafting beautifully written dialogue that feels both natural and poetic. This dialogue is not only used by the characters in their conversations with each other but also in their soliloquies, which serve as moments of introspection and reflection that give the audience insight into the characters' innermost thoughts and feelings.

In addition to the film's strong performances and writing, Private Romeo is also visually stunning. The secluded military academy serves as a breathtaking backdrop for the story, with the filmmakers making excellent use of the location's rugged beauty and eerie isolation. The film's cinematography is also superb, utilizing a mix of long takes and close-ups to pull the audience further into the characters' world.

Overall, Private Romeo is a thoughtful and well-crafted film that offers a refreshing take on one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays. With its heartfelt performances, beautiful language, and striking visuals, it is a movie that is sure to linger in the minds of viewers long after the credits roll.

Private Romeo is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 53.