Not Your Romeo & Juliet

Kudos to writer and producer Sean Gaffney, director Matthew Kistenmacher, and Asbury University for an enjoyable film about love and loss, hope and redemption, change and growth, and moving forward. Not Your Romeo and Juliet is a movie for the entire family. The story is wholesome, sweet, funny, and uplifting. It's a small-budget film with a big heart. There's no sex, no violence, no bad language - a nice change from much of what is available today. The acting is mostly strong with memorable performances by Catherine Gaffney, Deandra Sallee Cahall, and Jordan Bryant. I recommend Not Your Romeo and Juliet as a feel-good movie everyone can enjoy.

This movie is a fun, cute, and sweet ride. It's clean, the jokes are actually funny, and it takes an honest look at romance and the misconceptions we have about it. All three romances (including the subplots) are entertaining and believable. Although it's no Hollywood blockbuster, it's satisfying and well made. And perhaps it's all the better for the fact that it's simple. Ultimately, this is a story about a college student learning about real love through her misadventures writing about it and experiencing it with her new boyfriend. It'd be great for a girls' night, but enjoyable with anyone.

This felt very much like a school project...a Christian school project, and that is not a criticism per se but a commentary on the low budget production quality. My favorite part of this film was the side story of Micki's mom Toni going back to school, giving a fake name, having a crush on her teacher and him giving her famous names for pseudonyms. Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn, Betty White, etc. It added a fun charming note to the film and became my favorite part.

As for the main romantic storyline it was a bit cliched. Two student newspaper writers spar in print, fall in love in person, and then discover their true identities after a brief fake out. In the end they lean into their faith, start a clean slate and become friends. It was ok, but not a recommendation from me to my fellow romantics.

This is a fun movie filled with some really great lines. As a mom, I appreciated the character of Mikki's mom, Toni, and that she is expanding herself in midlife. I especially appreciated that she gives wisdom to Mikki and though supporting her efforts does not always agree. I also found Kate to be hilarious. If you're not a Tolkien buff, or are too young to know Audrey and Catherine (no relation) Hepburn which so many have confused, some of the humor might be lost; but if you're looking for something the whole family can watch together with no worries about content, this fits the bill. We enjoyed a light-hearted family evening.