Newly Crunchy Mama Of 3
  • Home
  • Current Giveaways
  • Recipes
  • Cleveland ROCKS!
  • Giveaway Linkys
  • Disney/MARVEL
  • Blog Policies
  • Disclosure Policy

Newly Crunchy
by 
Brandy Nelson

Romeo Romeo: A Must See Documentary About Love, Infertility and Modern Marriage

3/23/2014

4 Comments

 
Picture
***Disclosure: I received a film screener to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***
I am a big fan of documentaries. In fact, I often choose them over normal movies or TV shows. Why? Well, for one, when I watch a true crime documentary for example, the stories are real. The detectives working on the case give their commentary throughout. You hear from the families of those involved and can see their emotions. No script. No pre-written plot twists. It's just so much more authentic than watching CSI where all of the female investigators are rocking Prada, Botox, and some really suspicious looking plastic parts. Now have you ever walked into a police station just to find all of the women look like Victoria's Secret models? No? Exactly. To me, that just seems unbelievably phony. That's why I like to keep it real by choosing real life stories featuring very real people when I can. 

Recently, I got the opportunity to check out a new documentary that chronicles a modern marriage, and the couples' journey through infertility. In "Romeo Romeo", you'll meet Jessica and Lexy, a lesbian couple who seem to have it all...Jessica works at a large NYC PR firm representing some of my favorite brands, and Lexy works with kids as a nanny and moonlights as a Manhattan lounge singer. (She's good, too! In fact, when she started singing "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac, I got chills.) Life seems to be going great until it becomes all too apparent that something is missing.....A baby. 

Before I get into my film review, I want to share a few things from my own life that drew me to this film. Anyone who knows me personally knows that these topics hit home with me in a major way. For one, I am the parent of a gay teen. I don't blog about it much because...well...My son's sexuality is kind of a "non-issue" in our home. Who he is attracted to doesn't define him. So rather than seeing "a gay kid", I see a boy who is kind, compassionate, creative, loving, and artistic. I see a great son and big brother, a loyal friend, and an all-around amazing human being. His sexual preference simply does not matter to us. 

Marriage equality is something I feel very passionately about, and I think the world could definitely benefit from seeing that a gay marriage is just like a straight one. That's right. There are no boogeymen hiding in their closets, they do not have crazy gay sex parties, and they're just like everyone else. Sorry to burst any bubbles there, but it's true. And I will say what I say to anyone who asks why I support gay marriage: My child deserves to settle down one day with someone he loves. Male, female, black, white, purple...That doesn't matter to me. It's not about WHO you love, it's HOW you love. If my son is happy and treated well, I will openly welcome whoever ends up making his life complete. 
Gay couples have the same dreams, goals, and desires as straight couples. For many couples, this includes having a family. Of course for a lesbian couple like Jessica and Lexy, this presents a different set of challenges. Challenges I know all too well from personal experience. Well, I understand most of them, anyway. When Dan and I were trying for a baby, we had a penis readily at our disposal, which probably made things substantially simpler. We tried to conceive for a whopping 4 years before we were blessed with our daughter, and shortly thereafter, our son. Yep. I was pregnant for almost 2 years with no real break. Never, ever again, people. My tubes got tied after having back-to-back pregnancies and c-sections 12 months apart. But I am so grateful for my kids, and wouldn't change a thing. 

Anyway, going through the pain of infertility is something that is truly gut-wrenching. It's a type of pain that no one could really understand unless they've been there. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, to be honest. I guess that's why "Romeo Romeo" had me reduced to a sobbing wreck. I knew the emotions that Jessica and Lexy were feeling, and I just wanted to whip out a magic wand full of "Baby Dust" and dump a big load of it on top of these lovely ladies. 
Picture
Okay, enough about me. Back to the film. (Sorry, like I said, this documentary covers issues that I feel very passionately about, so if I ramble, forgive me.) 

Jessica and Lexy decided that while they had a marriage they love, they both had an empty place in their hearts that could only be filled with a tiny, crying, pooping bundle of joy. Jessica was smart, and decided that she did not want to carry the baby. (Smart move...Pregnancy kind of stinks. At least for me it wasn't the most pleasant thing in the world.) However Lexy has always had that maternal longing. The only thing she's ever wanted in her whole life was to simply hear the words that so many take for granted: "I love you, Mom." 
Picture
The ladies decide that they are willing to spend their entire life savings to pursue their dreams of parenthood. Lexy will carry the baby, and they will finally build a family of their own. They consult doctors and fertility specialists, and even choose an anonymous sperm donor whose Italian-Irish ancestry would help them grow the perfect little baby. Unfortunately, Jessica and Lexy have several months full of BFN's. (In the infertility world, this means BIG FAT NEGATIVE. Or you can insert another F word, which is something I always did when I got them. This is the pregnancy test mocking you with an ugly, glaring NO.) 
Picture
After several failed inseminations, failed rounds of Clomid, and failed IVF, the ladies decide to go a different route to help create their family. I am not going to say exactly how they go about conceiving a child, but I will say that sometimes going back to basics and even going against doctors' orders can work wonders. If you want to see the outcome of their journey, you'll have to check out the documentary! 
Picture
Overall, I am basically in love with "Romeo Romeo". Yes, that is a very bold statement to make about a documentary featuring 2 women I don't personally know. But having gone through similar struggles myself, I could almost feel exactly what they were feeling. It all came rushing back to the surface. The anger. The sadness. The helplessness. The sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when it seems everyone is pregnant but you. It was my reality for years, so seeing Lexy and Jessica's struggles really affected me. I was in tears right along with them throughout most of the film!

One of the things I liked most about "Romeo Romeo" is that these ladies are no-nonsense. They don't sugar-coat anything. For most people, trying to conceive comes easy. It's a joyful time. But when faced with infertility issues, this opens the door to a lot of not-so-happy things like financial stress, and even strain on a marriage. I love the fact that these issues are very realistically portrayed in this film. Jessica and Lexy cry together, get excited together, and yes, they even jump down each-other's throats some. This isn't Hollywood where everything just magically falls into place and everyone is smiling all the time. This is real life with raw emotions, and I think Jessica and Lexy were so incredibly brave to share their story, bumps in the road and all. 

So if you or someone you know is affected by infertility, or if you just want to see an interesting story about how families are created within a gay marriage, you're definitely going to want to check out "Romeo Romeo". Jessica and Lexy are candid, open, and you're bound to shed some tears here are there as you follow their compelling journey into motherhood. I promise you won't be disappointed. 

How to View Romeo Romeo : 

Lucky for you, there are PLENTY of ways you can enjoy "Romeo Romeo", right from your computer, mobile device, or even your video game consoles! 

Here are some direct links so you can see this life-changing film for yourself: 

•   Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/romeoromeo
•   Amazon: http://amzn.to/1kFuhOk
•   Vudu: http://bit.ly/MLhs8t
•   Playstation: http://bit.ly/1nB2z9S
•   Xbox: http://bit.ly/1cVrTmk
•   Blinkbox: http://bit.ly/1egKubd
•   iTunes: http://bit.ly/1gxPRiA
•   Google Play: http://bit.ly/1nB5qzH

4 Comments
Gypsy Nicole link
3/23/2014 06:58:29 am

Thanks for sharing this! I just watched the trailer for Romeo Romeo + can't wait to watch the full documentary. I'm a sucker for love stories and this seems to be just that; their love for each other and for their future baby shines through.

Reply
Marcee
6/25/2017 09:22:53 am

Hi Brandy. Romeo Romeo was a program schedule yesterday (6/24 & 25 Chicago) evening on America Reframed. Saw it last year twice. Once again it was heartwarming to see Lexy & Jess again. Being it's 2017, I know they had another child ,,,,, a boy. Can't seem to find current updates on them. Will keep trying. P. S. Love your doc reviews!

Reply
zooey111
10/26/2016 01:25:27 am

I just watched this on PBS tonight, & it is a truly beautiful story. What amazing ladies they are! Every minute of it touched my heart!

Reply
Vicki link
1/7/2018 10:49:00 am

knew Lexy a lifetime ago in the music biz, didn't even know about this documentary. This is amazing.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Page Ranking Tool
    Future Google PR for www.newlycrunchymamaof3.com - 5.53
    The Web Newly Crunchy Mama Of 3

    Be My Friend!

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

    PR Friendly Mama!

    I'm Brandy, a happily married, proud  Mom of 3 amazing kids. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at: NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Superior Source Brand Ambassador
    Picture
    I am an Ordained Dudeist Priest
    GhostBed
    Picture
    Picture

    Links We Love :

    Brandy Nelson (@BrandyNelson) - influencer profile on Dealspotr
    dealspotr.com
    Picture
    Picture
    SheSpeaks Blogger Society
    Picture

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

Media Contact Info:

Please contact me at newlycrunchymamaof3@gmail.com with all inquiries.
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Current Giveaways
  • Recipes
  • Cleveland ROCKS!
  • Giveaway Linkys
  • Disney/MARVEL
  • Blog Policies
  • Disclosure Policy