Self-aware fashionable retellings of basic tales are a dime a dozen, and “Rosaline” is not even the one title on this listing that matches the invoice. There’s clearly a purpose they hold taking place — we by no means tire of the classics — however even when this subgenre does efficiently filter an outdated story by a brand new lens, the tip end result tends to really feel hole, pointlessly snarky, or worst of all, hopelessly misunderstands the unique story. Even “Rosaline” has its ups and downs relating to the difference course of, however what it has in spades is what the others too usually lack: charisma. Specifically, that of Kaitlyn Dever who carries the film with grace and humor because the titular heroine, a reckless teenage lady combined up in a world-famous tragic romance.
You’ve got heard of Romeo and Juliet, however what about Rosaline? Seems Romeo had wholesome love life earlier than assembly his well-known beloved, which occurs to incorporate Rosaline Capulet, the girlfriend who got here earlier than and was speedily shoved apart when the charmer crossed paths together with her cousin, Juliet. Thus begins Rosaline’s determined makes an attempt to foil their budding love and steal again her boyfriend.
Sure, literature’s most well-known love story from the attitude of a jilted ex is finally precisely what it seems like: breezy, snarky, and padded with a candy romance for the protagonist to fall again on. However Dever’s efficiency is what elevates it: all the pieces hinges on her allure, banter, commentary on the basic story, and her candy chemistry with Sean Teale’s Dario. At occasions, it seems like a tacky, absurdist throwback to the fashionable Shakespeare retellings of the ’90s — which it just about is, however with the interval drama setting intact. It is “Bridgeton” with a humorous bone and a magnetic lead efficiency.
