First thing I have to say about this film: it is Portuguese. And that, my friends, isn't the best of traits when it comes to cinema.
I saw all the other Portuguese "blockbusters" in the past....and I can sum them all up in a couple of words: sex, swearing and f*cking.
Since "call girl" to "corrupção", all the Portuguese movies rely heavily on "hot" chicks and lots of sex, many times including Nicolau Breyner - one of our worst actors and honestly not that good-looking.
So, if you want to check Portuguese cinema, please be aware.
With that said, I must say: Star Crossed is awesome. Not the best movie out there, for sure, but in comparison with the other Portuguese pieces, this one is a real work of art.
I mean, the acting is very credible, the characters are likable and identifiable (they're not surreal when you think of them), the pacing is good and the two football scenes are very well done.
The story itself is very self-explanatory -> it's a Romeo and Juliet remake, so you know exactly what's going to happen in every scene (but instead of two real families, there are two football clubs). This means you will be bored in the middle of the film? Hell no! Even with the story in your head, you'll find yourself very "attached" to the movie, mainly because of the acting. There are some really funny scenes and everyone interacts just fine, in harmony. Paul and his friends really do feel like friends, they joke around, make fun of each other, etc. Every scene will surprise, even if you know that they will kiss on the balcony, that that thing will happen to that guy and so on.
Teresa Tavares could do a little bit better, so as Kyle Redmond Jones...sometimes I felt that they were forcing it a little between them. I mean, I just couldn't feel the love all that well they're supposed to have (as Romeo and Juliet). But they are "saved" by some incredible acting by Diogo Morgado, Luke Mably, Neil Fluellen and António Fonseca. You just know that when they're on the screen, something good is going to happen. And it does. And guess what? It comes as a complete surprise. This movie will entertain the ass out of you. It's a good piece of cinema and I mean it.
The director really gave it all on this one. It's a great Romeo and Juliet remake and it was very well converted to our day and age. It's a must see for all movie lovers and, attending to all the crap that came out of our cinema, an obligation to every Portuguese. The real surprise is....the director is Mark Heller...not Portuguese. It makes you wonder: the only good film coming out of Portuguese cinema was made by a foreign director. Maybe this will teach us something.
Excelente filme! (Great movie)
Just would like everyone to know, my favourite movies are Memento, Godfather, Dark Knight, Shawshank Redemption, Prestige, Moulin Rouge, Star Wars, Fight Club, Seven, etc etc.
(this was just to prove my "valid" point of telling apart good films and crappy ones).
Now go out to see this incredible Portuguese movie!
