The new Hulu original film Rosaline recently released on the service, bringing a new perspective to the classic story of Romeo and Juliet with a special focus on the titular character of Rosaline, the cousin of Juliet and the ex-girlfriend of Romeo.
The film is a sweet yet hilarious take on the Shakespeare tale, with its characters equally likable and mischievous as they try to maneuver their way to winning the heart of their true love. With so many new interpretations of classic characters, some won over the audience much more easily than others.
Lord Capulet
Arguable the biggest antagonists of the original Romeo and Juliet story are Lord Montague and Lord Capulet, the two heads of the warring houses and the ones responsible for the continued bloodshed between the two families.
While Lord Montague only appears in a few scenes, Lord Capulet, as father to Juliet and uncle to Rosaline, has more screen time and makes a more unlikable impression during so. He is rude and sexist toward his daughter, entirely uncaring of her wants, and treats his brother Andrew and niece Rosaline with disdain for the latter's independence.
Tybalt Capulet
Another of the classic story's characters kept mostly the same in the Hulu adaptation, Tybalt is one again the cocky and quarrelsome cousin of Juliet. He frequently starts scraps with Romeo and the Montagues, something which ultimately results in his death at Romeo's hand come the film's end.
Rosaline and Tybalt only have brief interactions, but his snarky satisfaction at Rosaline being forced to leave the dinner table highlights his sexist attitude and dislike for his cousin's independence.
Romeo Montague
The characters of Romeo and Juliet have been adapted plenty of times across all sorts of media, and Hulu's Rosaline certainly stands as one of Romeo's less-than-irable interpretations. While sweet and simple on the surface, Romeo also displays a chauvinistic and careless streak.
When thinking about his future with Rosaline, he seems to think of her as only a homemaker and nothing more. Once Romeo meets Juliet, he entirely ghosts his former lover Rosaline, and in a real scumbag move, reuses the loving lines he told to Rosaline, on Juliet, stating that only for Juliet did he ever mean them.
Adrian Capulet
Bradley Whitford has ed the long list of actors to star in Shakespeare movies with his role as Adrian Capulet, the father of Rosaline Capulet and brother to Lord Capulet. Adrian oftens clashes with his daughter about her future, being entirely uncaring toward her desires for independence and her own personal ambitions, setting her up for arranged marriages despite her constant protests.
However, by the end of the film, Adrian shows some true character development, believing Rosaline's innocence in Juliet's "death" and helping her escape prison, as well as finally standing up to his brother over his opinions about Rosaline's.
Steve The Courier
In a story filled with many selfish characters intentionally hurting one another, Steve the Courier is actually quite a nice character whose transgressions are always accidental, and always due to his incompetency at his job.
His inability to what he has done during the day infuriates Rosaline to no end, and his inability to follow instructions nearly results in disaster by the film's end. Instead of giving Romeo's letters to Juliet like Rosaline instructed, he gives them to Tybalt, resulting in the chaos that occurs in the third act.
Count Paris
Count Paris doesn't have as much screen time as other characters, but showcases himself as a true friend to Rosaline in what screen time he does have. He speaks frankly to her about the true nature of her attraction to Romeo, and yet still helps her in her scheme to win him back, offering himself up as a suitor to Juliet.
Paris is homosexual in this version of the Shakespeare tale, utilizing the engagement to hide his sexuality and hoping that he will be long gone from Verona by the time Juliet is of marrying age. Paris risks his entire future for Rosaline's plan, showcasing true loyalty.
Juliet Capulet
One of the aspects that makes Rosaline stand out as one of the best Shakespeare adaptations is the deeper characterization of Juliet. The film's story showcases Juliet outside of her relationship with Romeo, and delves especially deeper into the friendship she forms with her cousin Rosaline.
Juliet is extremely iring of Rosaline, and is the only throughout the film to show appreciation for her skills at cartography and her independent nature.Juliet is understandably upset at the reveal of Rosaline's betrayal, something which causes her to show a hidden cruel and vindictive side that had not appeared earlier, though the two cousins eventually make amends by the film's end.
Nurse Janet
Rosaline's personal servant, Nurse Janet is one of the few adults to have a firm understanding of the romantic conundrums befalling the youth of the Capulets and Montagues. She is incredibly caring toward Rosaline, offering her words of wisdom and poignant advice that act as some of the Hulu movie's best quotes.
Nurse Janet is undeniably frustrated about her current position in life, being a ed nurse and yet working as a servant, though she is able to utilize her nursing skills in order to help the final plan and trick the two families into thinking Romeo and Juliet are truly dead.
Rosaline Capulet
Romeo's ex-girlfriend and the cousin of Juliet, Rosaline is the titular protagonist of the film and spends much of the story's runtime trying to break the iconic Shakespeare pair up. She goes to mischievous and deceptive lengths in order to achieve this, yet displays a good heart deep down that causes her to make things right by the film's end and ensure Romeo and Juliet's happiness.
An ambitious young woman stuck in the sexist world of her time period, Rosaline displays an irable desire for a better life and an awesome rebellious streak against anyone who stands in her way that makes her incredibly endearing to the audience.
Dario Penza
Another arranged suitor for Rosaline, Dario is expected to be yet another callous and revolting chauvinist that is being forced upon the young woman. However, Dario quickly establishes himself as a true gentleman and charming man of culture. He continually goes out of his way for Rosaline, helping her in all of her quests, despite Rosaline's constant rude behavior and clear dedication for another man.
Dario sticks his neck out for not only Rosaline, but for Romeo and Juliet as well, ultimately being one of the main reasons the pair's plans to be together succeeds. Dario's endearing nature finally wins over Rosaline by the film's end, the two becoming an official couple.
