Romeo's Distress, Shakespeare meets Poe

No phrase inspires a restraining order like, "...nothing will keep us apart." Ah, but we live in such a cynical time where we implore our children to be careful and mistrust everyone.  In a more romantic time the aforementioned words inspired great love stories. Hundreds of years ago, inspired by the nubile Anne Hathaway, and a poetic youthfulness, William Shakespeare wrote "Romeo and Juliet."  A tale of forbidden love falling victim to social norms and the cynicism of our elders.  More than 400 years after that tragedy, Jeff Frumess has made a Gothic horror film called "Romeo's Distress."

In a surreal beginning, we meet our modern day Romeo and Juliet.  They are Jane (Kimberely A. Peterson) and James (Anthony Malchar).  A syrupy sweet couple exuding love and bliss out of every pore.  Not all is seashells and balloons, however. Ominous circumstances commence as Jane's dad. Dale (Jeffrey Alan Solomon) sends his henchman, Bobby (Adam Stordy) after him.  In James' zeal to love Jane forever, he will suffer numerous beatings ordered by Dale.

As Dale ramps up his efforts to deter James' hormones, we the viewer develop a very uncomfortable feeling about what is really going on.  No spoilers here, but horror fans will see that director Jeff Frumess has been influenced by, not only Shakespeare's story, but by George Romero, Edgar Allan Poe, and perhaps David Lynch. A love story?  Perhaps.  A horror film?  Oh yes.  As the 'love story' continues, you will get increasingly squeamish about what is developing on that silver screen.

Seize the day...or Carpe Diem!  Anything and everything in the cause of love!  That may work in romance novels, but in the world of Gothic horror...well...you'll see how that ends.  Mr. Frumess keeps us gasping and uncomfortable (there's that word again).  The performances are terrific and cinematography adds to the feeling of ominous dread that is obviously approaching.  Perhaps an anti-Shakespeare take on the classic tragedy.  Or, perhaps "Romeo's Distress" is an appropriate horror re-imagining of "Romeo and Juliet."  After all, the ending of the Shakespeare work is horrific.
To find "Romeo's Distress" on Facebook click on this link Facebook Romeo
To see the trailer, click on this link Romeo Trailer