Gnometragedy

Ruwini Jayawardana and Demi Hewamanna

The tragic tale of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet had taken many forms over the centuries but Kelly Ashbury's Gnomeo and Juliet marks the first time that the star-crossed lovers are seen in animation as garden gnomes.

The plot follows Shakespeare's legendary tale. This is evident by the prologue offered by a gnome who starts off his speech with a comic apology of making yet another version of the romantic play. After that we are plunged into the well groomed lawns of two elderly pensioners, Mr Capulet and Ms Montague.

Interestingly their rivalry is played out literally in miniature among their garden accessories: the red capped gnomes and the blue capped gnomes. Day breaks for the gnomes once their owners speed off in their vehicles. They engage in their daily activities but are always alert lest there might be an attack from the enemy camp.

Amid this enmity we are introduced to our hero, the proud Blue Gnomeo. His plans to avenge the Reds collapse when he falls for a stunning yet feisty Red named Juliet. All boundaries are forgotten. The lovers plot to meet in secret but inevitably their plans are revealed and tragedy follows. That was the manner the original tale runs but what ensues is quite different from the original play, yet also quite simple. It is a twist in time and a very different end that leave us with a smile and hope for something good to happen. This is the essence of Ashbury's movie.

Gnomeo and Juliet may be a good means of keeping your kiddies entertained but it lacks depth and substance possessed by previous Disney and DreamWorks pictures. The background lacks décor in some of its crucial moments. One such example is Gnome's night attempt to seek revenge from the Reds after the lawn mower race. However the scene which follows the sequence, Gnome and Juliet's encounter on top of a dimly lit greenhouse, is probably one of the best scenes in the film. Gnomeo's reaction at the sight of the sleek Juliet donning a ninja garb and framed by the moonlight makes a beautifully romantic setting.

Anyone hoping to catch some of Elton John's foot-tapping tunes like Hakuna Matata or Circle of Life will be in for a disappointment. Though the production gained fame as possessing tunes penned by the singer, the soundtrack features new songs which do not leave much of an impact on you.

The film makers have also done a better job by giving life to some supporting cast members such as Featherstone, the flamingo and the group of clay bunnies than the pointy-hat-wearing terracotta garden gnomes. In most instances it lacks humour and some of the genuinely funny moments are when the gnomes freeze in place - even in battle- when they become aware of human presence.

For years teachers and dramatists have breathed life into Shakespeare's timeless romance. Some have managed to bring the bard's work closer to the audience while others have failed.

Gnomeo and Juliet certainly falls into the second category for besides being cute, it lacks the essential dose of humour and romance to leave a long lasting impact in a mature audience.