Every Nick Hornby Movie & TV Adaptation - Ranked From Worst To Best
3. Juliet, Naked (2018)
Juliet, Naked is the story of a woman who begins a relationship with her boyfriend’s musical hero whose music she loathes. It stars Rose Byrne as Annie, Chris O’Dowd as her boyfriend and Ethan Hawke as the rockstar who disappeared out of the limelight 25 years earlier. The film is based on Nick Hornby’s book of the same name, directed by ex-Lemonheads bassist Jesse Petetz and produced by Judd Apatow. The combination of the three men’s music worship, expert comedy and charm allow this film to be feel good, hilarious and above all, a fun watch.
The film takes key Hornby themes such as music worship and male attitudes and shifts it through the perspective of a woman surrounded by it; meanwhile Juliet, Naked explores the idea of being firmly into adulthood with the feeling you’ve wasted your life. It brings a rockstar to Sandcliff, England and explores the feelings of lost love in marriage, complacency and inherent desires to be something more.
Despite Juliet, Naked focussing on some downbeat themes and being likely to rouse emotion, it never begins to bog you down or get too upsetting; it remains an excellent rom-com that does have a heart and soul to it.