Story
Every year thousands of visitors flock to Verona in Italy to visit the famous Capulet House. They leave letters to Juliet in the wall beneath the balcony. Most of these letters are answered by the secretaries of ‘Juliet’, a voluntary organisation and part of the Juliet Club.
Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) travels to Verona with her fiancé, Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal), on what she hopes will be a romantic early honeymoon. But she finds herself spending a lot of time alone as Victor pursues his business contacts. Sophie becomes intrigued with the Juliet Club and begins to help them answer letters.
While working with the Juliet Club, Sophie discovers a letter written 50 years earlier wedged behind a loose brick. She writes to the author of the letter, Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), and is surprised when Claire arrives in Verona with her grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan). To Charlie’s dismay, Sophie has inspired Claire to search for her long-lost love, Lorenzo. Claire left Lorenzo in Italy 50 years earlier, and finding him now will be a challenge. There are hundreds of men named Lorenzo in Italy, but Claire is undeterred. Sophie persuades Claire to let her come on the search. Together with Charlie, they travel the beautiful Tuscany region in their quest to find Lorenzo.
Themes
Relationships
Violence
None of concern
Content that may disturb children
Under 8
Some children might be worried by a scene in which Sophie falls from the balcony onto the grass beneath. She is unhurt.
From 8-13
Children in this age group might be upset by Charlie’s situation. He mentions that his parents were killed in a car accident and that his grandmother has brought him up.
Over 13
Children in this age group are unlikely to be disturbed by anything in this movie.
Sexual references
None of concern
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
This movie contains some use of substances. For example, characters drink alcohol at several social functions.
Nudity and sexual activity
This movie contains some passionate kissing between Sophie and Charlie.
Product placement
None of concern
Coarse language
This movie contains some infrequent mild coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Letters to Juliet is a classic romantic movie set in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The cinematography is wonderful, and so is Vanessa Redgrave as Claire.
The main messages from this movie are that you are never too old for love and that you should take hold of opportunities when they come along.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include the importance of love and of following your heart.
This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues such as:
- the effects on a relationship of putting your career first
- beliefs about relationships before marriage.