PAGE THE STAR 6 ARTS MAY 18 - MAY 24, 2010 "Letters to Juliet" is classic and charming
JOSETTE CANU.AO Staff Writer
Buying a ticket to "Letters to Juliet" warrants the acceptance that this movie is a "chick flick." With that in mind, it is easier to enjoy the predictable pattern of another sunny, romantic comedy. Romance and love are at the very center of this movie. Its very setting is the iconic, Shakespearean love city of Verona, Italy; bathed in constant sun with intimate streets, gardens, vineyards and romantics. Shakespeare's very essence is imbedded through out the film. The film's namesake is taken from his timeless "Romeo and Juliet." In the walls of Juliet's house in Verona, lovers write letters to the tragic heroine expressing emo tions brought about by love. In tum, four women act as "secretaries of Juliet," answering each letter and giving assurance and advice. And this is the epicen ter that sends shockwaves which result in the main plot. The protagonist, Amanda Seyfried's Sophie, travels to Italy expecting a romantic pre-honeymoon • with her passionate, culinary, Spanish fiance, Victor, played by Gael Garcia Bernal. From the onset, it is established that Sophia is discontent with her pro spective husband as he is far too interested in food than in her. Sophie's current failing relationship sets up the Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) reads the letters left in the walls ofJuliet's house about love. drama that ensues when she meets a single, hand some Englishman who may be her actual "one". This character is Charlie (played by Christopher tic, fairly-tale quality which supports the themes of ant. Though his actions seemed absurd, his acting Egan), the grandson of Claire- a widow whose own love and romance. There is wine, there are beautiful was never unconvincing. 50 year old letter to Juliet is answered by Sophie. hills, there is the romantic language that is Italian. Everything done in the film was done to promote Upon receiving this response, Claire travels to Ve By utilizing the setting, "Letters to Juliet" sets up an idea of everlasting, beautiful, completely attain rona to find the long lost love of her adolescence. everything for a successful love story. able love. Love, according to "Letters to Juliet," is a The story itself follows a very typical road often feeling that defines belonging, sought after by wom laid down by love; that which stops lovers from be- en. It is a romantic, constant, sensual, pleasing no " Un Iike Sh O k espeare's ingabletoenjoyeachother. Thewholefilmisdriven tion that comes equipped with faithfulness, loyalty, own Romeo and Juliet', by attempts at solving a perpetual problem of unsat- undivided attention and desire. Women, in essence, should be at the center of men's lives. Women need 'Letters to Juliet' takes his isfied affection. In this sense, the story has nothing that has not men, search for them, and men wait for that woman well-known, well-versed been done before. to commit to. That isn't to say, however, that the movie is not Love has been constantly defined; its power premise On d bui Id S, f rom enjoyable. Its characters are distinctive and were blamed but still longed for. "Letters to Juliet" is an that foundation, success. For cleanly portrayed. Seyfried played the strong, driven other movie that tries to define this age old, almost American dream-seeker convincingly and clearly. mystic force. The characters, Sophie, Charlie, Claire Sop hia, C hor I ie, C Iaire an d She fit the mold of a hopeless romantic as well and her lost love Lorenzo, define love as destiny un Lorenzo, Verona is no longer as a definitively strong willed woman who would not challenged. That is why the movie is a comedy, not Gender Bender: be swayed otherwise. Her character was steadfast. tragedy- it ends happily. When: Thrus., May 20, 8 On in f OmOUS, tragica II Y Egan's Charlie was ironically playful. Since the Unlike Shakes_peare's own "Romeo and Juliet," - 10 o.m. 1 romantic location ·for lov (J.. l ,,.., ...... ~,. dialo UC e him out. to be a nic, be la ed that "Letters to Juliet" takes his well-known, well-versed What: Gender Bender is cymc1sm wit a vulnera 1 1ty t at wou ma e audi premise and builds from that foundation success. For QSA's annual drag and lip ences (especially females) empathize with him. Sophia, Charlie, Claire and Lorenzo, Verona is no sync show! Come out for The film was uplifted by the presence of the longer an infamous, tragically romantic location for a night of drag, dancing, Claire's predicament in searching for a once for very experienced and very endearing talents of Van lovers. With this film, it has been reclaimed as the performances, prizes, and bidden love and the forbidden love that forms be essa Redgrave. Her Claire was moving. She acted threshold from which lovers can live their love .. more! tween Sophie and Charlie recycle the dilemma of as the force that propelled the movie and interest of Is this story valid? Is reality betrayed by such Where: Coooperage Romeo and Juliet. the viewers forward. She played off of her younger depictions of love? To answer: this is only a movie. The film is a light but familiar recount of star counterparts with experience. Her scenes, mostly Though it has a message, life is still lived outside crossed lovers, a recount that doesn't end in tragedy. with Seyfried and Egan, consisted of a balanced and of the cinema. The depictions here reflect artistic Though the themes of the film can be seen as patient give and take. expression. "Letters to Juliet" is merely another to jaded, there are aspects to it that can also be appreci Bernal as the Spanish boyfriend served as a very continue the love saga. ated. dispensable court jester type. His character was an Through Associated Student Productions, "Let It shows much of Italy, which is quite beautiful. outlandish man who acted as a generic, unresponsive ters to Juliet" can be seen on Tues., May 18 at 7 p.m. The scenery dis.played in the film gives it_that roman- and uncomprehending male. He was almost flamboy- for $1 at Rialto Cinema. ·
Res Life Getaway Selected students head to the Campus to Battle of the Bays A's v. Giants Baseball Game ! : Movie Fest Regional Competition When: Sat., May 22 , vans leave at 10:30 a.m. for a 1 p.m. gametime AsHLEY YARBROUGH What: Tickets: $20 w/RSA; Emry, a senior and psychology ma Even though their films had won awards, they had $26 w/o RSA; $13 for EOP Staff Writer jor and Spanish minor, explained the reason why she decided to get involved no idea that their hard work and creativity was go Where: SF Giants Stadium with MovieFest. ing to pay off, as their _films were chosen to go to "Making movies is kind of a hob Campus MovieFest is an outlet for by of mine and when Marissa Thigpen regional and are given a chance to win $400,000 students that allows them to use their found out that I wanted to do it, she at the International Grand Finale in Las Vegas. creativity and imagination through mak thought it would be great if I made a ing a film. According to their website, movie for IEEC," she said. Campus MovieFest began eight years Julie Lockwood, a senior and psy actually at work and my team called me Emry and Lockwood gave advice to ago at Emory University where four chology and Hutchins double major from the Award Gala- we finally real students who may want to get involved students gave other students everything won Best Picture for her movie, "The ized that the all nighter and insanity of with MovieFest in the future. they would need to make their films in Movement." Lockwood explained what editing it for 13 hours was worth it, be "Plan ahead! Try to be as prepared cluding camcorders and Apple laptops made her excited to become involved in yond worth it," stated Lockwood. as possible before the week even starts," and were given one week to complete MovieFest. Campus MovieFest, the world's stated Emry. their project. "I belong to a tight knit group of largest student film festival, will be end . Lockwood also urged more students Ever since then, more than 250,000 people who are determined to change ing the 2009-2010 tour with their Inter to become involved in the competition. student participants have created films the world," she said. national Grand Finals at the Wynn Hotel "Do it! Pick people to work with receiving the necessary tools needed "When we realized that we had an in Las Vegas June 10-13. whom you want to share in this great from technology to free trainings from opportunity to tell others about an is Campus MovieFest will host stu experience and be open to learning, corporate partners such as AT&T and sue close to us (Child Soldiering, par dent filmmakers from all over the creativity and engaging in a whole new schools. ticularly Invisible Children) through a world during a three day weekend full realm. Filmmaking is a creative pro Besides having fun, the goal of creative process and reach out to a new of events including but not limited to cess that requires imagination, vision Campus MovieFest is to showcase the population, we were stoked to jump on screenings of movies including the four and faith that you can make something next generation of moviemakers a12d board and learn something new in the movies from Sonoma State: Best Dra life changing, beautiful and emotional," empower people to share their stories process." ma, "Sophie in All the Wrong Places," stated Lockwood. with the world. Even though their films had won by Rachel Picard, Best Comedy, "The You never know what you're capa This year, Sonoma State students awards, they had no idea that their hard March of the Triumphant Snail," by ble of until you try and you never know Hope Emry, Julie Lockwood, Rachel work and creativity was going to pay Jacob Langhoff, "The Movement," by maybe you'll be the one to receive an Picard and Jacob Langhoff decided to off, as their films were chosen to go to Julie Lockwood and "Go Away: A stu opportunity of a lifetime. take their chances and create their own regional and are given a chance to win dent's story," by Hope Emry. films. Hope Emry filmed a movie in $400,000 at the International Grand Fi There will also be industry work recognition of International Education nale in Las Vegas. As any other student shops, networking opportunities, alum To learn more about Campus MovieF Exchange Council titled, "Go Away: they were excited to learn of the great ni gatherings, concerts and a red carpet est and the upcoming International A Student's Story" and won the AT&T news. star studded final ceremony at the En Grand Finale, please visit campus Wild Card Award. "I was uncontrollably excited. I was core theatre. moviefest.com.