ROMEO+JULIET
MOVIE: **** (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Visionary director Baz Luhrmann takes a new look at the classic William
Shakespeare tragedy “Romeo and Juliet.” As the second installment in
his honored Red Curtain Trilogy, the play is adapted to modern-day Los
Angeles. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Romeo Montague, whose family is at
odds with the Capulets. Yet he meets Juliet Capulet and falls in love with
her before learning she is from the forbidden family. Two star-crossed
lovers face a tragic fate in this colorful and visually brilliant adaptation.
adaptation =
something that is
adapted; especiall
y : a movie,
book, play, etc.,
that is changed
so that it can be
presented in
another form
WHAT I LIKED
My first introduction to Baz Luhrmann’s work was his epic romance
“Australia,” which I enjoyed but wasn’t blown away. Now that Fox has
re-released the last two films in his Red Curtain Trilogy, it has been a
treat to finally experience them. And with Disney re-releasing the first
part (“Strictly Ballroom”) in November, this makes a great purchase on
Blu-ray.
To someone my age, most of my exposure to “Romeo and Juliet” has
been reading the play in high school or watching the adaptation with
Olivia Hussey. Those are, of course, quality works, but it’s really cool to
see this film in the modern (or at least late-90s) world. Being a timeless
classic, the story works today as much as it did hundreds of years ago.
What differentiates this film from so many other previous adaptations is
the visionary style of Baz Luhrmann. With his theatrical experience
under his belt, he deals with the original source material with plenty of
respect. It’s not a rewritten “West Side Story” version but the play itself
told in a different setting.
Luhrmann is definitely a visual director, and even when the story isn’t
moving forward, his films are a treat to watch. They are full of color and
dynamic movement that brings the viewer into the film. Luhrmann
achieves a hyper-real experience but still allows the actors to shine
through and relate to the audience.
Of course, one of the best things about “Romeo + Juliet” is that it is
probably the most relateable adaptation to a younger audience. Even
though this film is more than ten years old, it’s modern elements are still
something kids can connect with. On the whole, it’s a fantastic
introduction to Shakespeare for the novice and the young.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
What’s not to like about Shakespeare. Sure, it’s loaded with clichés, but
that’s because this was the story that started a lot of these clichés. You
can find flaws all you want in the film, but it’s more elements of a story
that is hundreds of years old.
I know some Shakespeare purists may criticize “Romeo + Juliet” for
being a little too frenetic or hyper-real. There are a few “Parker Lewis
Can’t Lose” sound cues, but those are more an element of the 90s than
anything else.
differentiates =
to make
(someone or
something)
different in
some way
visionary =
having or marked
by foresight and
imagination a visi
onary leader
a visionary inven
tion
novice = a
person who has
just started
learning or doing
something
clichés =
a trite phrase or
expression that’s
overused
frenetic = wild
or frantic