02. Romeo + Juliet

Early into this episode, Marin likens watching Baz Luhrmann’s ROMEO + JULIET (1997) for the first time to “seeing God,” so, yeah, we loved this. We discuss the film’s tenderness towards its characters and its refreshing portraits of girlhood and masculinity, particularly via the gaze of the camera itself. While Maggie’s prowess as a high school literature teacher is on full display, Marin connects the film to not one but TWO teen dramas. Also, we introduce a new closing segment!  

 

Secondary texts referenced:

“Elizabethan Street Fighting” by Shakespeare Unlimited podcast, ep. 24

“The Female Gaze” by Alexis Loftis, Sartorial Magazine

“Jenny Han Explains How Pop Music is Central to The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Malia Mendez, 

Los Angeles Times

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare 

The Summer I Turned Pretty, season 2, episode 2

Dawson’s Creek, season 3, episode 14