Eye on Juliet among 2017’s most unique films
The current prevalence of American surveillance, and its effects both internally and abroad, is an easy subject to cover in dystopian thrillers or science fiction.
As a tool in a Romeo and Julietesque love story is an original use for the contemporary surveillance state.
This unconventional premise is a lot of what makes “Eye on Juliet” a very special film to watch. Kim Nguyen’s combination of tragic romance and the ethics of technology creates an interesting, original film about the importance of love and compassion.
Fresh out of a difficult breakup and discontent with American hookup-app culture, securitydrone officer Gordon stumbles across a young couple in the North African desert. Using his crab-like drones that he controls in an office building in Detroit, Gordon follows the forbidden romance between Kaarim, a truck driver, and Ayusha, a young girl whose family plans to wed her against her will.
When the relationship and lives of Ayusha and Kaarim are put in jeopardy, Gordon puts his job and his livelihood on the line to protect what he believes is an example of true, surviving love in a world lacking true emotional treasures.
One strength of the film is the use of contemporary technology to portray romance and affection, particularly with the drones Gordon uses in his work.
When the setting changes to North Africa, Gordon starts to experience life through the camera of the drone; this way of experiencing life seems to enrich him in a way that normal life seems to be lacking.
In Detroit, he spends his time getting high, dredging away in an office, and wasting time on Tinder.
Through his company’s drones, Gordon gets to help Kaarim and Ayusha try to escape their home to freedom, and has a life-changing conversation with a blind old man about the meaning of love and the troubles of a world consumed by technological progress. The drones even start to exhibit a small amount of expressive range, including one entertaining scene where Gordon and a co-worker have a conversation over their two drones’ microphones.
Another strength of the film is in the look of “Eye on Juliet.” The cinematography work of Christophe Collette exemplifies the sheer difference in setting: the warm, natural colours of Ayusha’s home contrast against the dreary sight of Gordon’s security office and hometown of Detroit.
While most of the film is shown through a normal lens, you do see certain scenes from Gordon’s perspective, or rather through the perspective of Gordon’s drone.
The thermal and night-vision drone cameras also featured in Eye on Juliet are more than a flashy break from the average movie camera, they offer a unique way to interpret the events of the story, such as when thermal imaging is used to visualize the emotions felt during a compassionate exchange between Gordon and Ayusha.
The portrayal of the two central characters, Gordon and Ayusha, is perfect for the tone and quality of “Eye on Juliet.” Joe Cole, who previously acted in the stellar punk-horror film “Green Room,” gives another noteworthy performance as Gordon, showing the effects of suddenly having a purpose in an otherwise seemingly inconsequential life.
The acting in “Eye on Juliet” shines, however, in first-time actor Lina El Arabi’s portrayal of Ayusha, the titular Juliet. El Arabi’s portrayal of a young girl in a tragic romance is strong during moments of conflict, vulnerable in moments of weakness, and authentic and believable the whole film.
“Eye on Juliet” is ultimately a more contemporary look at an old story idea, one that takes a tale as old as time and fits it into the modern era in a unique way. This particularity makes “Eye on Juliet” a must-see and one of the most unique films of 2017.