Baz Luhrmann's second feature is a bold and vigorous adaptation for the MTV generation. I first studied this film when I was 13 for English studies and it's fair to say I wasn't the films biggest fan. Possibly due the fact that I was only interested in football and the opposite sex. But I like to think I've grown up quite a bit since then (stop laughing at the back) and having watched Romeo and Juliet, I can now say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in the gangs and gun culture of Verona beach, the Capulets and the Montagues are two rival families that have hated each other for generations. A party is thrown by the Capulet's, where there teenage children Romeo Montague (Leonardo Dicaprio) and Juliet Capulet (Clare Danes) meet for the first time and quickly fall in love. Luhrmann has made a film that is hugely inventive, producing a fresh take on a story that has been told many times before. It's bold, full of energy that occasionally comes out of the original text through music (choir boys singing Prince, drag queens singing young hearts). But never fails to be accessible and the style feels right for the story being told.
The cast for the film is spot on. DiCaprio as always brings immense intensity and emotion to the role of Romeo. As far as I'm concerned this is the film that made him a super star, Titanic just took it to another level . DiCaprio was interviewed during the making of this film and said that he felt he made the right choice in joining this project and hopes to continue to make good choices throughout his career. Well with films like Inception, The Departed and Titanic I think it's fair to say Leo has made some pretty good choices. Danes is also great as Juliet. This was her first experience of performing Shakespeare and gives a very moving performance that plays off well with DiCaprio's intensity. I also have to mention Harold Perrineau who gives a brilliant, yet underrated performance as Mercutio. Originally the likes of Ewan Mcgregor and Christian Bale auditioned for the role before Luhrmann decided to cast a black actor. Harold's performance is so good that you just couldn't imagine any other actor in the role. Lurhrmann made Shakespeare cool again after using his eccentric direction which pumped new life into a well-known story. Some people have said the film is just a gimmick designed to make English teachers seem cool and down with the kids. That may be the case but Luhrmann's vision seems on the money and only helped teenagers appreciate the role Shakespeare had on story telling and if I can be converted, then pretty much anybody can.
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