Watch Shakespeare School Year

Shakespeare School Year, a heartwarming coming-of-age comedy-drama, follows the journey of a group of high school students who are tasked to stage a production of Romeo and Juliet in their school. The movie showcases the ups and downs of the students as they navigate through teenage love, friendship, and rivalry while preparing for the play.

The lead role of 16-year-old protagonist Emily is portrayed by Christina Cupo, who brilliantly brings out Emily's innocence and naivety when it comes to romance. Emily's best friend, Katie, is played by Celeste Kellogg, who adds depth to the character with her performance.

The plot of the movie revolves around Emily's infatuation with her classmate, Danny, who plays the role of Romeo in the play. Danny, played by Jesse Simmers, seems to reciprocate Emily's feelings but is tied in a toxic relationship with the school mean girl, Ashley, played by Jessica Webb. Ashley is also cast as Juliet in the play, leading to further complications in the already complex web of teenage emotions.

Through the course of the movie, the students struggle to put on a successful production. Their inexperienced director, Ms. Baxter, played by Anna Elinsky, is strict and demanding, putting pressure on the students to deliver their best performances. Emily's awkward attempts to flirt with Danny, the gang's struggle to memorize their lines, and their personal issues all pile up, putting the play at jeopardy.

However, as the day of the performance draws near, the students begin to grow more confident in their roles. Emily's character gains depth as she struggles to understand the tragic nature of Romeo and Juliet's story, while Danny finds himself caught between his feelings for Emily and his manipulative girlfriend. The supporting cast of student actors, including Taylor, played by Lily Chase, and Mike, played by Nick Coleman, also offer refreshing performances and comic relief.

Apart from the teenage drama, Shakespeare School Year also highlights the importance of arts education in schools. The movie showcases the therapeutic impact of performing arts, with some of the students admitting that putting on the play helped them deal with their personal issues. The film also stresses the significance of hard work, dedication, and team effort, with the students finally pulling together to deliver an uplifting performance.

The movie's cinematography is also noteworthy, with directors Michael Berliner and Julian Rhine showcasing the play's behind-the-scenes moments, the students' lives outside of rehearsals, and the scenic backdrop of their school.

Overall, Shakespeare School Year is a delightful coming-of-age tale that captures the emotional turbulence of teenage life. The performances of the cast are endearing, and the themes of love, friendship, and overcoming adversity are skillfully woven into the storyline. The movie is perfect for anyone who loves Shakespearean plays, coming-of-age stories, or simply wants to be moved by a good film.

Shakespeare School Year is a 2018 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.