Juliet, Naked Review — Is it wrong to be obsessed with an endearing rom com about fan obsession?

Blame social media for begetting the age of the Super Fan—the people who spend inordinate amounts of time researching every little tidbit out there about one particular person or subject, and communicating with other “enthusiasts” (obsessors?) who feel the same way. No theory is too outrageous, no message goes unanswered.

Juliet, Naked, is an intimate film about this vast subject and so much more. including life, love and starting over.

The truly luminous Rose Byrne plays Annie, a charming British 30-something who is stuck in a job and a house she inherited from her father, and with Duncan (Chris O’Dowd), a boyfriend  who teaches at a local university when not obsessing over his favorite alt rock star of old, the elusive Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke), who allegedly disappeared years ago.

Duncan’s obsession has put their life on hold, although it should have included marriage and children by now, at least in Annie’s mind. But when an acoustic demo of Tucker Crow’s 25-year-old hit record “Juliet, Naked” arrives at their door, and Annie gives it an anonymous bad review, the elusive rocker himself reaches out, and everyone’s lives are turned upside down.

Although this is but a small, humble rom com, its appeal is huge, and its performances, especially from Byrne and Hawke, are tremendous. The soundtrack is surprisingly good, as it should be in a film about a musician with universal appeal. Based on a book by Nick Hornby, director Jesse Peretz’s tender touch and tone is believable, entertaining, and unequivocably endearing.

Make sure you stick around for the end credits to find out how a super fan reacts to finally meeting the object of his obsession, and realizes that he was wrong about him all along.

Rated R

1 Hour 38 Minutes

If this Juliet, Naked review intrigues you, find out where it’s playing and get tickets at Fandango.com.

Juliet, Naked Review — Is it wrong to be obsessed with an endearing rom com about fan obsession?