William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet

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Eye C Watching this movie in the church where it all takes place was a religious experience. The performances from DiCaprio and Danes are perfect, but Mr. Luhrmann it’s the star here, he took a world classic play and then bring it into the nineties in such a charismatic way. Well done good sir. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/31/25 Full Review Riley R Headline: “Shakespeare on Speed: Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet Dazzles and Divides” 
Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 alteration of Romeo + Juliet, available on Amazon Prime and Youtube, is a disheveled, colorful redefining of Shakespeare's emotional romance. This play is just under two hours long. The play switches swords for guns, Verona for a stylish modern city girl, and Renaissance clothes for Hawaiian shirts. All while making sure to keep the original Shakespeare dialogue. The outcome is a whirlwind of emotions that feels more like a fever dream than a traditional film. Many viewers have different opinions on this reimagination of Romeo + Juliet, some love it or hate it, it depends on your views. 
 Two performances control the film, Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet. DiCaprio, right out of his Titanic rise, brings an intensity to Romeo that fits the character emotionally. He conveyed Shakespeare very well, though sometimes felt a little rushed. Though his famous “Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is set…” speech at Juliet’s balcony is both vulnerable and heartfelt, reminding us of the character’s youthful emotions. Claire Danes, on the other hand, finds a way to ground Juliet with a new honestly. Her performance was emotionally intelligent and surprisingly calm, in a film that is usually a tear-jerker. She makes the dialogue easier with a clear and natural rhythm, especially in serious scenes that are about her family and her tragic reunion with Romeo. Supporting performances, like John Leguizamo’s Tybalt and Harold Perrineau’s flamboyant Mercutio, add theatrical energy; they fit the film’s operatic tone.
 Luhrmann’s direction is anything but subtle. Known for his energetic styles in films such as Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby, Luhrmann stages Romeo + Juliet like a music video mixed with television. The editing is very high- strung, and the visual symbolism is overwhelming. Knowing that, his choices reflect an attempt to translate Shakespeare for a more modern audience raised on MTV and gun violence. Luhrmann also makes many smart decisions that clarify the narrative: the opening news begins with the reading of the prologue like a breaking story sets the tone. Also, the visual cues like costume colors (Montagues in blue, Capulets in red) help guide the viewer through the chaos. He doesn’t lighten the tragedy either in the final scene, where Juliet wakes up just seconds too late to save Romeo, lands with tragic impact. It’s melodramatic, yes, but the emotion is real and serious. 
 The film’s production design is arguably its most special feature. Catherine Martin, Luhrmann’s collaborator and the film’s production and costume designer, creates a visual world that feels timeless yet based in 1990s pop culture. Verona Beach is neon-drenched and full of religious iconography, crumbling cathedrals, and billboards. The use of Catholic imagery (crosses, angel wings, stained glass) reinforces the story’s themes of fate, sin, and sacrifice. The music choices from Radiohead’s emotional “Exit Music (For a Film)” to the energetic chaos of “Young Hearts Run Free” are intentionally traditional but emotionally placed with the characters’ inner personalities. The score by Craig Armstrong is both broad and intimate, helping keep the gap between Shakespearean tragedy and modern melodrama. 
 This film has a lot of emotions for me. It’s loud, fast, overwhelming, and not for Shakespeare lovers. But as a more modern version to reframe the old for a new generation, it does a great job in being both innovative and emotionally powerful. However, when the film slows down, especially during the intimate moments between Romeo and Juliet, it captures something inspirational about love, youth, and loss. Personally, I really enjoyed this modern version of Romeo + Juliet. It’s not perfect, and the editing occasionally gets in the way of the performances. Also, the hyper-stylization can make the language seem unclear. But when the film slows down, especially in the lovers’ quieter scenes, it captures the powerful intimacy that makes Romeo and Juliet timeless no matter what version it's in. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/06/25 Full Review Audience Member If you enjoy a bit of humour and a spin on a Shakespearean classic, this is brilliant! The acting is top notch from all the cast, and i like how they didn't change the script to fit the time, so you had people in the late 90s talking like they're in the 1500s. i found that hilarious. its such a large juxtaposition that it works. Top class from Baz. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review thiago s Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é bacaninha, mas quase ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens sao até fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/04/25 Full Review Evangaline E The most stupidest movie ever never watch it DONT WATCH Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/14/25 Full Review Blu : this film was beyond dumb 😭😭 Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/12/25 Full Review Read all reviews

William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet

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