Ronnie and Julie

Ronnie and Julie is a contemporary spin on the classic William Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet. As the title suggests, this movie revolves around two young individuals named Ronnie (played by Joshua Jackson), and Julie (played by Margot Finley) who find themselves caught in similar circumstances as their namesake counterparts.

Set against a modern urban backdrop, the movie commences by unveiling the political ambitions of two competing matriarchs. Maddy Monroe (played by Teri Garr) and Elizabeth Crane (played by Susan Hogan) are local politicians making their battles for city mayor. However, beneath the political veneer, a deep grudge between the two families exists, creating an insurmountable divide.

On a summer day, Ronnie, the son of Maddy Monroe, attends an anonymous political rally, completely unaware it's a gathering supporting his mother's political opponent, Elizabeth Crane. There, he crosses paths with Julie, the passionate and charismatic daughter of Elizabeth Crane. Their encounter leads to an immediate spark, which only intensifies when they later meet at a party and share an impulsive yet passionate kiss, unknowingly starting the modern day Romeo and Juliet saga.

In the heart of this political rivalry, the innocent, burgeoning love between Ronnie and Julie blossoms. They envelop themselves in a secret romance that they share away from the prying eyes of their families, and certainly far from the political spotlight. Joshua Jackson infuses his character Ronnie, an aspiring hockey player, with charismatic innocence while Margot Finley endears us with her portrayal of the artsy and stubborn, Julie.

As the election showdown proceeds, so does the incognito love affair between Ronnie and Julie. It becomes complex when a chance photograph of the couple kissing is revealed, causing significant uproar in the tightly wound political race. Amid the political chaos, the youthful lovers find themselves in a web of family rivalry, political aspirations, and individual dreams.

Gradually, the relationship between Ronnie and Julie gets discovered, their secret romance no longer a secret, which incites full-scale uproar in both families. The subsequent events pull the pin on a ticking bomb of emotions, unleashing a whirlwind of reactions from all sides.

The screenplay, grounded in Shakespeare's timeless narrative, enriches the film's premise substantially. Apart from the central plot, the movie also offers subplots that entail hockey aspirations, attempted bribery, a little bit of scandal, and an entertaining theatrical production. Every subplot is interwoven seamlessly into the main story, adding an extra layer of complexity to the narrative.

Moreover, the performances add depth to the narrative, making it all the more appealing. Joshua Jackson manifests the inner conflict of his character with a subtlety that tugs at your heartstrings. Margot Finley carries the right amount of stubbornness and charm to make you root for her from the start. Finally, the dynamo performance by Teri Garr as the matriarch makes her every scene a highlight in itself.

Regardless of the burgeoning identity of a 90's film, the movie still retains its freshness due to its relatable themes - love, ambition, rivalry, and family dynamics. It successfully caters to the narratives of both romance and political rivalry while sitting squarely in the intersection where these themes collide.

To summarize, Ronnie and Julie, directed by Phil Comeau and written by William T. Conway, delivers a modernized adaptation of the most renowned tragic love story of all time. While it borrows tropes from Shakespeare's narrative, it puts a fresh new spin, making it more relatable to the contemporary audience. Its unique combination of political rivalry, teen romance, and familial tension provides a watching experience that is both heart-warming and thought-provoking. Whether you're a fan of Shakespeare, romantic dramas, or socio-political narratives, Ronnie and Julie is a film you'll thoroughly enjoy and remember.