Are Rosaline and Catherine Called Birdy Twin Films?

On Sept. 23 Amazon Prime Video released Catherine Called Birdy, a coming-of-age comedy set in medieval England starring Bella Ramsey, the actress who played Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones seasons six through eight. Less than a month later on October 14, Rosaline, an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet told from the perspective of Romeo’s first love starring Kaitlyn Dever from Booksmart, debuted on Hulu. 

Common Themes

Chuck Koplinski compared the two films on an episode of his show Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam, pointing out similar plots. Koplinski also reviewed them side by side in the Illinois Times under the headline, “Rosaline and Catherine Called Birdy showcase strong women…”

In terms of plot and characters, Koplinski has a point. Lady Catherine and Rosaline Capulet are opinionated and independently-minded female protagonists. Both young ladies confide in their trusted nursemaids, Morwena (Lesley Sharp) and Nurse Janet (Minnie Driver). 

Both films forgo historical accuracy in favor of modern sensibilities. The medieval English town where Catherine Called Birdy is set celebrates Halloween with costumes, a tradition that originated in 1580s Scotland. In a movie set in Renaissance Italy, based on a work by a British playwright during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Rosaline speaks with an American accent. 

The characters of Paris (Spencer Stevenson) and Perkin (Michael Woolfitt) fill the trope of the “gay best friend” in Rosaline and Catherine Called Birdy respectively. Strangely enough, both Perkin and Paris, to their chagrin, are asked by the protagonist to marry a woman.

Major Differences

*Minor spoilers ahead*

Besides Koplinski, few have lumped Rosaline and Catherine Called Birdy together. Reviews of both films are mixed but in very different ways. As of October 19, 2022, Rosaline has a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 80%. Catherine Called Birdy on the other hand has an 87% certified fresh and a 51% audience rating. 

Despite the grim source material, Rosaline is a lighter comedy while Catherine Called Birdy balances its ridiculous moments with some more melancholy beats. Catherine’s mother (Billie Piper) has a miscarriage and Uncle George (Joe Alwyn) ends the movie trapped in a loveless marriage. Rosaline’s screenplay rejects Romeo and Juliet’s tragic ending in favor of a comedic climax in which the couple fakes their own deaths and escape. 

The films are entirely different genres. Rosaline is a romantic comedy while Catherine’s story is a coming-of-age drama-comedy. 

The female directors, Lena Dunham (Catherine Called Birdy) and Karen Maine (Rosaline) handle the theme of female empowerment in different ways. Dunham treats misogyny as a serious and systemic issue that Catherine is never really able to overcome. Maine ridicules sexism by making it a punchline. 

Are These Movie Characters Still Twins?

For me, Rosaline and Catherine Called Birdy remain closely linked for one reason in particular: the relationship between the protagonist and her father. Lord Rollo (Andrew Scott) and Adrian Capulet (Bradley Whitford) are dead set on marrying their uncooperative daughters off to a suitable, usually much older bachelor. By the end of each film, Catherine and Rosaline reach a mutual understanding with their fathers. 

Adrian finally calls out his friend Lord Capulet for perpetuating the feud with the Montagues. Rosaline eventually accepts one of Adrian’s proposed suitors and all is well. After serving as the primary antagonist for most of the movie, Lord Rollo risks his life to duel Shaggy Beard on Catherine’s behalf, saving her from an unwanted marriage. 

At their core, Catherine Called Birdy and Rosaline are surprisingly similar films with overlapping themes and character beats. As twin films, they may not be identical, but they certainly are fraternal.