"Morning, you two," Sikowitz says, "We were just about to start!"
"Start what?" I ask, watching Cat and Robbie close all the blinds.
"Somebody sent me a first cut of Romeo and Juliet," he says significantly, "We were gonna give it a watch."
"Okay," I say uneasily, "I haven't even seen it yet, I hope it looks okay."
"You trust Max, don't you?" Beck teases, "You don't think he'd give out anything that makes you – or himself for that matter – look bad?"
"I guess not," I shrug, "I just don't like watching myself act."
"You'll like this," Beck promises, "And if you don't, we can leave."
"Okay," I nod gratefully, "You don't mind?"
"Of course not," Beck smiles.
"Lights, if you will, Tori," Sikowitz says, gesturing to the switch, and I flip it, plunging us into total darkness. The light from the television screen illuminates the room a few moments later and the film begins.
"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo," Prince says quietly and the credits begin to roll. Somewhere behind me, André flips the switch and the lights come on, but for a few moments nobody speaks. I brush the tears off my face and glance sideways to see Cat and Robbie both doing the same, and across the room in the corner, even Jade is crying.
"Well," Sikowitz says eventually, "Who has something to say?"
"That was an amazing film," André states, "Tori, Beck, you guys did awesome."
"Thank you," Beck says, pulling me slightly closer to him and brushing a tear from my cheek.
"I am inclined to agree," Sikowitz smiles, "Your performances really were very impressive. I'm proud of you."
"Thank you," I nod, fanning my face to hold back the tears, "Max did an incredible job of making us look good, huh Beck?"
"Max's direction was very clever," Sikowitz agrees, "and an impressive tribute to the original script, but you shouldn't doubt your own ability. Your performance was good, Tori, very good."
"And that was just the first cut?" Robbie asks, "What else could he possibly add to make that any better?"
"I don't think he cut anything," Beck says, narrowing his eyes, "Certainly not any of our scenes?"
"No, you're right," I nod, "Do you think it was too long?"
"I was never bored," André says, coming up behind us and squeezing my shoulders, "And that's coming from me – I am not a Shakespeare fan. But I was never bored, so no, I don't think it was too long."
"When's the release date officially?" Jade asks, backhanding a tear from her cheek, "November 18?"
"I think it's the 15th," Beck replies civilly, "The premiere is on the 1st, and Max said that we could have 10 extra tickets. So that's my parents, Tori's parents, Trina and then you guys."
"You really want me to come?" Sikowitz says, surprised.
"We wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you," I laugh, "Of course we want you there."
"And me?" Jade says doubtfully.
"Yes," I reply, "We want you to be there, Jade, if you want to be?"
"Thank you," she says, "It really is very good, you guys. Congratulations." She leaves the room immediately after and André pulls a face at me.
"Looks like you guys melted the Ice Queen," he teases and Beck smirks.
"When do the critics get to see it?" Sikowitz asks.
"Well, Max said that he was going to send the first cut out to a select few," Beck replies, "The first review should be published sometime this week."
"Well as soon as I see it, we'll read it in class, okay?" Sikowitz says and André raises an eyebrow. "What?" he says, "We're in the last couple of weeks of school ever, there's not much more I can teach you."
"Fair enough," André shrugs, "Come on, Little Red, Rob, let's go get some lunch."
"We'll come," Beck says, pulling me up, "You can tell us what's been going on with you guys."
The day before graduation, the first review is published, and we all meet Sikowitz in the classroom so he can read it to us.
"One can never have too many adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, right? Wrong. The story is overdone and tired. That was the frame of mind I had when I went into this film, and I have to admit that I was wrong. This production by Max Anderson is flawless from start to finish. The script barely deviates from the original in a refreshing tribute to William Shakespeare's masterpiece and the scenery and costumes are all very traditional, true to the era it was written for. Even the score, written by John Williams, is outstanding and a refreshing departure from his usual style. However, the thing that really holds this masterpiece together is the cast.
Some might say that casting two unknowns in the title characters was too big a risk, but for Anderson and his team, this was one risk that definitely paid off. Tori Vega and Beck Oliver are believable in the roles and give faultless performances, both heart-breaking and breath-taking throughout the film. At only 17, Vega in particular gives an impressive performance, managing to capture the innocence and naivety of Juliet yet still providing an authentic journey for the character. Similarly, Oliver is outstanding and shows wisdom beyond his 18 years, seeming to understand the character of Romeo in a way that many others have failed to. Having recently announced their relationship, it is unsurprising that Tori and Beck have a natural chemistry; however, the development of their love throughout the film is perfectly convincing – you really believe they'd die for each other, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I wept at the ending.
The success of the two leads is propped up by an impressive supporting cast. Darryl Brown is exceptional as Mercutio, providing a new depth to the character, while Jane Lawson and Sean Davis are striking as Nurse and Father Laurence respectively. Consistent with the two leads, the majority of the cast are unknowns; however, Kyle Harrison's turn as Tybalt is excellent and Lance White has a successful cameo as Paris. Even smaller roles such as the parents of our two leads are very effective, and each actor manages to draw the audience into their character without ever overwhelming them.
Every element of this film stands in perfect balance and the whole project has been impeccably directed by Anderson, who I believe to be one of the best up and coming directors of his generation. With such first-rate direction, incredible performances from the entire cast and a beautiful homage to the traditional play, this film is destined to win every award it is nominated for. I would go so far as to say that Romeo and Juliet is not only one of the best films of the year, not only one of the best Shakespeare adaptations ever, but one of the greatest films of all time."
"Whoa," I say, stumbling to a chair, "That's…unexpected."
"This is awesome!" André says excitedly, hi-fiving Cat and Robbie, "You guys, he just said that this is one of the greatest films of all time!"
"I know, I just…" Beck looks as stunned as I feel, and puts his head in his hands. "It's just one review though, right Sikowitz?"
"This man is very highly respected as a film critic," Sikowitz replies, "While you're correct that it is just one review, I'll be very surprised if other reviews don't echo it."
Just then, my phone starts to ring and I pull it out. "Max?" I answer, "What's up?"
"Did you see?" he asks, "Is Beck with you? Has he seen?"
"Yeah, we just read it," I laugh, putting my phone onto speaker, "It's insane, Max, like is it even real?"
"Did you pay someone off?" Beck teases, "It's not real if you wrote it yourself."
"Shut it, you," Max says, "Of course it's real, and very flattering indeed, but we can't get carried away. We need to keep the promotion up. You remember Mark wanted you to go on a group trip?"
"Yeah, we remember," I reply, "What's the plan?"
"Will you just meet at the set on Friday, say 9.30?" Max asks.
"Okay," Beck says, "Who's coming?"
"Darryl, John, Kyle and Jane," Max replies, "Lance bailed; he can't get down here in time."
"Bummer," I reply sincerely, "Listen, you remembered we're graduating tomorrow, right?"
"Oh crap," Max says quietly, and I groan.
"Max, you promised you'd be there!" I say sadly, "Please tell me you're still coming! Come on, everyone's gonna be there – even Sean promised he'd come."
"I'll do my very best," he says, "What time is it?"
"Midday," Beck says, "Come on, Max, don't break a promise now."
"Okay," he agrees, "I'll see you then. Congratulations again on the amazing review, you gorgeous people!"
"You too, lovely," I reply, "See ya!" I hang up and turn back to Sikowitz and André, who are checking out the buzz online.
"Other reviewers are clamouring to see it," André says, "I wonder if they'll push forward the release date."
"I dunno," Beck says, "They should do really, if they want to ride this success."
"But the sooner they release it, the further away from awards season it is," Jade observes, closing the door neatly behind her as she enters, "Congratulations, both of you!"
"Thanks Jade," Beck smiles warmly, before turning back to us, "She is right about the awards thing though – I don't know how strategic they're being."
"If they weren't being strategic before, they certainly are now," Sikowitz frowns, "However, I don't believe the hype will go away, the film just is very good."
"I know, but all it takes is one other good film and suddenly Romeo and Juliet is forgotten about," Jade replies, "If I were them, I'd leave the release date where it is."
"Overnight sensations Beck Oliver and Tori Vega were pictured yesterday completing their biggest challenge to date – graduating high school. Less than a month after filming wrapped on their film, 'Romeo and Juliet', the teens were seen celebrating with their classmates at their school, Hollywood Arts. Months before its release, critics are already lauding 'Romeo and Juliet' as one of the greatest films of the year, with the performances of Vega and Oliver receiving particular praise; however it appears that the teens managed to keep their grades up while filming, with Vega being selected as valedictorian of the class."
"Mere days after they graduated high school, Tori Vega and Beck Oliver were seen out celebrating the arrival of summer with other members of the cast of their new film, 'Romeo and Juliet'. The teens were joined by Darryl Brown, Jane Lawson, John Scott and high profile TV star, Kyle Harrison, at the theme park Six Flags Magic Mountain. Vega and Oliver appeared loved-up as they enjoyed the rides; however, the other actors also seemed to enjoy each other's company. Vega and Brown seemed particularly close, singing as they walked around the park and waited in queues. Sources suggest that they have plans to record tracks together after becoming close on the set of 'Romeo and Juliet'. The film itself is already receiving praise and buzz surrounds the long-awaited release in November."
"Hi there!" the reporter says, "I'm Olivia Hanson, and I'm here today with the stars of the upcoming 'Romeo and Juliet', Tori Vega and Beck Oliver! Welcome! Thank you for coming!"
"No, thank you," I grin, "We're happy to be here!"
"So tell me what it's been like, getting to make a film like this!" she says brightly.
"It's been pretty incredible," Beck replies, nodding enthusiastically, "For both of us, it was our first lead role in a movie and we got to work with such fantastic people. Max Anderson is an amazing director, the script was great, all of the crew were so clever; it was just the best."
"And the cast?" she asks, "Did you enjoy working with them?"
"So much," I reply, "I think we all went into this as fans of Romeo and Juliet and we took it very seriously, but at the same time, we had a great time doing it."
"She's actually not exaggerating," Beck teases, "She watches the Leonardo DiCaprio version of the film every Sunday, and reads it once a month."
"Anyway," I say, glaring at him playfully, "The cast are all so talented as well, it was just a blast."
"We've heard stories of laughs on set," she says, "Could you tell me about that?"
"That's Kyle," I laugh, "He is quite honestly one of the funniest men I've ever met and he had us all in stitches the whole time. Obviously the story isn't the happiest and Max liked having him on set because he kept our spirits up, but we blew so many takes because we just couldn't keep a straight face around him!"
"It's worse as well though because he's one of those guys that can be larking around one minute and be deadly serious the next," Beck adds, "So he'd make a joke while Max was talking to the crew and then Max would start the take and we'd lose it because we were still wetting ourselves laughing at Kyle, and then we'd get the blame!"
"That's so funny," Olivia laughs, "I also heard there was a lot of singing on set?"
"That's Tori," Beck says, "Tor and Darryl were singing all the time."
"Just a way to pass the time," I shrug, "Darryl is a really talented guy and we had a good time writing songs and singing and all sorts."
"It does sound like the cast really were very close," Olivia says, "I heard that you all went to get tattoos done after filming wrapped."
"Yes," I nod, "We all got the final line of the film tattooed on us. You know 'there never was a tale of more woe' yadayadayada."
"Where did you get it?" she asks.
"On my hip," I reply, flashing it at her.
"On my wrist," Beck says, rolling up his sleeve and showing her.
"Oh, they're beautiful," she says, "Now, you two recently announced your relationship. What was it like filming?"
"Um," I hesitate, glancing at Beck who winks reassuringly, "Well, we weren't in a relationship when the film started, but we were very close friends. Beck has always got my back, he's always had my back and I loved working with him."
"Same," Beck agrees, "We've worked together for years, we're at the same school, we're best friends, and doing this together was as easy as breathing. There was no awkwardness between us, no difficulties with making friends or creating that on screen chemistry, so it definitely took the pressure off there and allowed us to focus on creating the characters as best we could."
"And you were very successful in doing so if the early reviews are to believed," Olivia says, "All of your ratings are 5 stars!"
"It's been absolutely amazing," I say frankly, "We never dreamed of anything like this, and everyone's been so nice! If we're anything like as good as people are saying, it's because of Max and all the work that the cast and crew did. We just showed up really."
"And what do you say to the recent awards buzz?" she asks, "We're talking Oscars here."
"That's crazy," Beck chuckles, "We just made the movie because we're passionate about the story – anything else is a bonus, but like Tori said, if anyone deserves the credit, it's Max."
"Sources suggest that Vega and Oliver are taking a big step in their relationship, buying an apartment together in the Hollywood Hills. Just a few streets away from her family home, the couple were pictured in a complex with a real estate agent. It is estimated that the place is worth around $400,000; no problem for the young actors, whose movie 'Romeo and Juliet' is released in just a few weeks' time."
"More reviews published today increase early awards buzz for 'Romeo and Juliet'. The Max Anderson production has received 5 star reviews across the board, with the performances of Tori Vega, Beck Oliver and Darryl Brown gaining particular attention. If nominated for an Oscar, Vega would become the 3rd youngest nominee for Best Actress in history, and if she went on to win the award, would become the youngest winner ever. Similarly, Oliver would go down as the second youngest nominee for Best Actor and would overtake Adrien Brody to be the youngest ever winner by more than 10 years."
"With only a fortnight until the premiere of their new film, Tori Vega and Beck Oliver were seen out in public again yesterday, taking a calming stroll in the park. The couple looked as loved-up as ever, and sources suggest that their plans to move in together will come into effect very soon. Oliver has recently been linked to many roles, including a starring turn in Max Anderson's new film, 'Jupiter'. Anderson, of course, is the director of 'Romeo and Juliet', and reports suggest that Beck and Max look forward to working together again in the near future. Vega meanwhile has been linked to the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical 'Wicked', which would allow the young star to utilize her strong vocals. Eagle eyed fans will remember Vega's performance on the Platinum Music Awards back in 2013."