''Rome & Jewel'' is a 2006 American hip-hop

musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks ...

adaptation of William Shakespeare's ''

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetim ...

'' set in Los Angeles that deals with interracial love. The film stars Nate Parker as Rome and Lindsey Haun as Jewel. The 2008 re-release had modest box office results and mostly negative critical commentary.

Plot

Compton Compton may refer to: Places Canada * Compton (electoral district), a former Quebec federal electoral district * Compton (provincial electoral district), a former Quebec provincial electoral district now part of Mégantic-Compton * Compton, Que ...

-native Rome ( Nate Parker) is the son of Reverend Q ( Cleavant Derricks) and yearns for Jewel ( Lindsey Haun), the daughter of Los Angeles Mayor Capps ( John Rubinstein) who lives in Beverly Hills. Using reworked dialogue from the play such as "deep inside I’m tender/sweeter than Splenda/and if you must know the truth/my heart's not bulletproof" Rome woos Jewel, despite his father's wishes that he avoid upper-class white women after he meets her at her sweet 16 party. It is love at first sight over a shared rap discourse and the duo have a quick wedding in Las Vegas. After a tragic ending befalls the teens, the fathers come to a realization that color should not distinguish humanity.

Cast

Production

The film was written, directed, and produced by Charles T. Kanganis, produced by Nestor N. Rodriguez, and has music by Eric Monsanty and lyrics by Neil Bagg.

Release

The film was released for theatrical presentation on February 22, 2006 and November 28, 2008 and released on DVD on March 9, 2010. Its 2008 re-release was in one theater for one week earning $470.

Reception

Aaron Hillis of '' The Village Voice'' described the movie as a "soapy, contemporary L.A.-set adaptation". Nathan Lee of '' The New York Times'' said the film was "a retrograde, thoroughly schematic conflict between rich, snooty white kids and working-class blacks". Robert Koehler, writing for '' Variety'', said it was a "tone-deaf and culturally silly adaptation, which pits Beverly Hills whites against Compton blacks". Lee also indicated that the divisiveness was a bit contrived and that the film breathes life into the socioeconomic consideration it hopes to fight.

References

External links

* * * Films based on Romeo and Juliet 2006 films 2006 romantic drama films 2000s teen films American romantic drama films American teen romance films 2000s English-language films Films about suicide 2000s hip hop films Films about interracial romance Teen films based on works by William Shakespeare {{DEFAULTSORT:Rome and Jewel 2000s American films