"My only love sprung from my only hate!  Too early seen unknown, and known too late!"

ROMEO AND JULIET (PG-13) ****1/2

Reviewed November 3, 1996 - Check out the Romeo And Juliet Website.

Wow!!!

The words of William Shakespeare really come alive in this very original adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.  Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet, and set in the fictional modern-day big city of Verona Beach, the Montagues and Capulets once again set out to wage war.  This time, however, it's complete with low riding cars, semi-automatic handguns, an inner-city setting, and the pounding beat of MTV-style music.  The effect is at times jarring but often it's wonderfully refreshing, as Shakespeare's centuries-old prose gets thrown into the nineties.

Credit goes to Director/Producer Baz Luhrmann for a wonderfully energetic pace, and Cinematographer Don McAlpine for some truly stunning visual images in this film.  DiCaprio and Danes were also beautifully dynamic as the "starcross'd lovers" in this adaptation which, though containing its share of the gunfire and rap music, also contained truly compelling scenes of real tenderness, all of which successfully captures the passion and anger and romance of Shakespeare's original.  Really, this movie could have turned out to be a very ugly monster, but somehow everything seems to work here.  Whether you're a Shakespeare fan or not, this movie is worth a look (or two or three).  It's fast, it's fun, and it's overflowing with passion.  Go see it!

IMPRESSIONS

And then I start to think: "with dialog like this, how could you screw up this movie?":

Come, night! come, Romeo! come, thou day in night!
For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night,
Whiter than new snow on a raven's back.
Come, gentle night; come, loving, black-brow'd night,
Give me my Romeo: and, when he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That the world will be in love with night,
And pay no worship to the garish sun.

See what I mean?

Responses from cyberspace -- thanks for the input, folks!

gymnast88_2000@yahoo.com gives this movie ***** stars: "this movie was amazing these actors put a lot of work in the movie. I think william shakespear would be amazed to see how many different versions and you know what is also cool? they kept so many original lines! I hope that you guys that don't like the movie think about what William would think...he would be amazed that his words lived on! bye guy e-mail me about anything. Bye" (8/31/01)

nicolacola16@hotmail.com gives this movie ***** stars: "This is far most the best movie I have ever seen. Romeo is so great and I loved how Leo demonstrates him. Clair Danes did a fab job with this movie and she looked so pretty. Great job everyone and keep up the fantastic work!!!!!" (8/19/01)

anonymous entry gives this movie ***** stars: "this was excellence on film. put simply, it mixed intelligence and modern urban life. what could be better? " (7/14/01)

George gives this movie ***** stars: "a very clever adaptation of Mr.Shakespeares works in the 20th century. Orginally the play was written centralised around dialogue, shakespeare did not give much reference to setting, this allowed lurhman to create the scene, one that woul evoke the passion of the story yet one that would present it to any laymen. It is a masterpiece... not to be maligned " (6/5/01)

gptinari@hotmail.com gives this movie *1/2 stars: "the cinematography was horrible and the actors sounded like they were quoting the lines. THere was good iniciative but the director (Baz Luhrmann) failed miserably to achieve his goal" (4/23/01)

Ashley gives this movie * star: "This movie was stupid! It was a mockery of William Shakespeares work. It made no sense when combining Shakespeares dialogue with modern day cars and guns. This movie also missed some very important scenes. The ending with all the police cars and helicopters chasing romeo was the dumbest thing i've ever seen. It was pretty stupid how at the end romeo didn't see juliet moving. Overall I disliked this movie and think no one should try something like this again." (4/8/01)

abshula@yahoo.co.uk gives this movie ***** stars: "I gave it 5 bcos it was a fantastic film but the film is so sad! I could have cryed my self to sleep after I saw it but I managed to stop myself!!!! :-( " (3/30/01)

jdeo@netlane.com gives this movie ***** stars: "This is the greatest love story of all time! Leonardo Dicaprio is the best in this movie. Hope you all love it because I (Joanne Deo) for one love it." (2/27/01)

rebel2004@hotmail.com gives this movie ***** stars: "I saw this movie and felt so moved by how two lovers could feel so strongly about each other. For the people who didnt like it because they couldnt understand it, you should watch it a couple of times and it will start making sense. For those of you who dont like it because Leo is in it, get over yourself, you are just jealous." (1/8/01)

Cordy gives this movie ***** stars: "this is a wonderful movie! i never thoghut that such a movie could have so much passion in it! for anyone who has not seen it you must go rent this the story is great and leo and claire portray thier characters wonderfully!" (12/17/00)

hgwells@erinet.com gives this movie ****1/2 stars: "I liked the energy of this film. I thought that Leo's acting was stronger than Claire's, but there were some very interesting interpretations of some scenes. The nurse was terrific." (12/5/00)

nirvana4eva@mailcity.com gives this movie ***** stars: "I've been chosen to direct Romeo and Juliet for my school play and while examining numerous enactments of romeo and juliet, i found this movie giving me a great insight on what not to do while directing the play. :)" (11/23/00)

Katie gives this movie *1/2 stars: "they so screwed up the meanign of shakespeare, he sso aesome" (9/19/00)

limp_rocks69@hotmail.com gives this movie ***** stars: "I thought this because Leo was frigging hot and I leave him with these words of wisdom; I'D DO HIM!!" (7/6/00)

sarah.savariaud@wanadoo.fr gives this movie ***** stars: "I'm a french. Romeo and Juliet is the first Leo Dicaprio's film I hane seen. I think is his better film. It's all I want to say and I very sorry if my english is wrong. Bye Bye." (6/28/00)

jessfroggy@prodigy.net gives this movie ** stars: "this movie blew the only good thing is how they modernized the story but it so confusing and the actors sucked especially leo cuz hes gay" (8/18/99)

anonymous entry gives this movie ***** stars: "i just want to say that april.burton@utoronto.ca has no taste in movies! i love all works by shakespeare, and i think that this movie was very well done, to almost complete accuracy to the play and a modern twist that made it interesting to watch! the soundtrack kicked ass also! :0)" (6/14/99)

keymyong64@hotmail.com gives this movie ***** stars: "I watched this Romeo and Juliet probably, honestly, over 100 times and I can saftly say that I am desensitized to all the violence and other bad things in the movie...but I must say that it was all very captivating and made a change in my life in ways of the direction of my future. E-mail me if you want to know what I mean. It may sound corney here. Leonardo DiCaprio was the biggest obsession I have ever had in my life after seeing this! I will admit that I was pretty upset when everyone else loved him too. Now I have switched over to Topher Grace from That 70's Show." (2/1/99)

Angela Blesener gives this movie ***** stars: "Another time I write. Again this movie was great. This movie was very more real than the real shakespeare play. ( It had a lot fighting though) I suppose The real reason i like it was because I Am a really big Leonardo Dicaprio fan." (12/31/98)

Angela Blesener gives this movie ***** stars: "I thought this movie was great!In this romeo + Juliet I could actually Understand what they were saying. Leonardo Dicaprio did exelent job and so did claire danes." (12/30/98)

sticks83@hotmail.com gives this movie ***** stars: "I LOVE YOU CLAIRE!!!!! Claire, if you see this mail me!!!!!!! And don't forget! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!" (12/29/98)

dudeman79@hotmail.com gives this movie ***** stars: "Claire Danes ROCKS!!! I think when she did this movie she was trying to put a spell on all 15 year old guys...I think it worked on me! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES! CLAIRE DANES!
The script was also pretty cool...Leo is the luckiest guy in the WORLD!" (12/28/98)

loujanyun@yahoo.com gives this movie ****1/2 stars: "For all those who hate this movie because its "not real Shakespeare" think what old Will meant to the people of his own time. I think the movie captures the true spirit of Shakespeare better than any old play with people in costume and everyone falling asleep. Will wanted to entertain not just select group of people but the common crowd, provide thrill, spectacle and beauty of word to people with little of any of that stuff in their lives. A stuffy old play that few people could sit through doesn't do that. This movie does. (And yes I have read the actual play!) This movie would have made old Will proud. I take away some stars because of the ending which was more of a farce than a tragedy. (He looks at her hands, her eyes move, he looks at her eyes,etc)" (10/12/98)

Moji Rodipe gives this movie * star: "The movie was too fake. What was all that religious image for? I don't anyone anyone can ever represent young love as Zefferelli already did. It was rubbish. And it will be a real pity if that is the only version one is able to watch in this to called mordern time. It doesn't even deserve a star at all. It was only done purely for money and not quality as far as i am concerned. So much kissing? Is that all they knew? And upon all it was so unrealistic compared to the 1968 version. No one should try this rubbish again. This is a great mockery of Willian Shakespeare. I will get my remaining comment down maybe later. But meanwhile, no one should try that. Create your own and stop modifying another man's work" (10/11/98)

The Girl gives this movie ***** stars: "I loved Romeo and Juliet! Some people don't like the Shakespearean English with a modern time-set, but I loved it. I didn't even find the words hard to follow most of the time! This is the best love story ever made." (7/7/98)

bpv726v@tninet.se gives this movie ***** stars: "Ilove the movie,it was very romantic,I love Leonardo DiCaprio" (5/2/98)

Babs gives this movie ***** stars: "I think it`s a fantastic movie, i`ve seen it it Rotterdam with my friends in the movietheatre, and we all cried. Leonardo`s actingskills were great. I loved the movie." (4/6/98)

brocal@svc.sol.com.br gives this movie **** stars: "Opinar sobre este filme sem que isto pareça uma resposta às febres "Titanic" ou "Leonardo diCaprio" e bastante difícil, se o leitor aceitar tal proposta garanto-lhe sinceridade. O filme é fantástico, e realiza o que antes eu acreditava impossível, caracterizar a grandiozidade de um texto deste porte à um mundo "atual" (salvo as modificações fictícias) sem ser profano ou herege." (4/4/98) (Wow, in Spanish and everything!! -- fuzzydog)

Ylva gives this movie ***** stars: "The movie is great. Love it...." (4/2/98)

sarajb@grefsen.vgs.no gives this movie ***** stars: "I have just seen the movie for the tenth time, and it gets better every time I just totally love it,but it is Leo who makes the film so brilliant.I am so in love with him!!!!! Anyway; this film is worth seing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (3/31/98)

Megan gives this movie ***** stars: "I LOVED THIS MOVIE! Clair and Leo did a magnificent job! Baz Lurhman had a great idea to make this movie, and also to make it in our time. Anyone that would like to share their comments with me, I'd be more then happy to hear them!" (3/29/98)

Stingray gives this movie * star: "I didn't like it maneley because I hate Leo Dicaprio." (3/25/98)

Megs gives this movie ***** stars: "I thought that this movie was awesome, I jumped at the end when Juliet shot herself." (3/15/98)

kajso@hotmail.com gives this movie ***1/2 stars: "I didn´t like it as much as the original movie, but of course this is a story that can never be bad. And Leo is always great!" (3/11/98)

Barbara gives this movie **** stars: "Romeo and Juliet was great but it was a little bit strange that there was spoken in an old fashioned dialect and the film was modern turned. But ROMEO AND JULIET was great also because of Leonardo diCaprio!!!" (3/9/98)

David gives this movie ****1/2 stars: "Leonardo DiCaprio and a shining young star, Claire Danes, brings this movie life. The Shakespearian classic romance story was told here in a brilliant modernised version of this brilliant tale of two lovers. DiCaprio really suits this movie and plays out Romeo well. Danes was excellent. The story was easy to understand, even though there was the original old English poetry. This is a classic!" (2/7/98)

Esther gives this movie ***** stars: "I think it was a great movie their played good and Leonardo diCaprio is a verry big hug!!!!!!!!" (2/2/98)

ivan.zekan@st.tel.hr gives this movie ***** stars: "The movie was great,great,great!!! I watched it several times and really enjoyed it. I ADORE LEONARDO DICAPRIO. He is the greatest!!!!" (1/31/98)

Kirsten van Ierland gives this movie ***** stars: "I think it's the best movie ever. The subject was really great, as well as the actors, especially Leonardo diCaprio. Boy, is he hot!!!" (1/19/98)

janis.schmoelzer@vol.at says: "I think "Romeo & Juliet" is a very fantastic film. When I have seen it I watched it again and again." (1/14/98)

ca.janssen@wxs.nl gives this movie ***** stars: "The best movie ever!!!!!! Leonardo is such a goodlooking boy/man." (1/6/98)

hannazs6@pworld.net.ph gives this movie ***** stars: "This movie was great!!! If I were Siskel and Egbert I would give them two thumbs up. Even if they did, I still would. Leo was great! And so was Claire Danes. They should win best duo in any award. Please email me if you want." (1/3/98)

Mrs. Leonardo DiCaprio gives this movie ***** stars: "The movie was great but what about Leo? He was fantastic! I totally enjoyed this movie not to mention Leo. This film worked out really well and I was surprised because I didn't expect the idea of Shakespearian diologue in a modern setting to work but it did. A total thumbs up Leo couldn't of been any better if he had tried. I would just like to say Hi to my best friend Zoe before my comment comes to an end and I hope all who went to see the show enjoyed it!" (4/10/97)

Tina gives this movie ***** stars: "I thought this movie was great!. I dont really no if it was the fact that Leo was hot or that the movie was great (both!) Leo is just the best actor ever to hit our screens!" (4/9/97)

Caitlin gives this movie ***** stars: "This movie was so cool! I didn't think the idea of the old dialog in a modern setting would work but it turned out fantastic!" (4/3/97)

Anonymous entry of ***** stars: "The most fantastic movie ever!" (4/3/97)

rolvos@online.no gives this movie ****1/2 stars: "I loved it! The way Shakespeare's text was used in this film, I just loved it!!! Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes were very good!" (4/1/97)

tazzie@iafrica.com gives this movie **1/2 stars: "This movie would be okay IF the dialect was the same as the style movie BUT it didnt . So i was sitting there & i didnt know what was going on & whats with the funny lines like when her nurse calls her i dont get it, it sounds like she's trying to imatate a sheep or something i dont know ,you tell me. Please do !!!!!!!" (3/21/97)

tur@swefair.se gives this movie ***** stars: "the movie was really good. I think that Leonardo and Claire are really good actors. I hope they do many movies together." (3/19/97)

Randl@pip.com.au gives this movie ***** stars: "I think that the movie "Romeo and Juliet" is the best movie I have seen ever. I gave it 5 stars because I think Will Shakespere would be very, very proud of This, how can I say it, FANTASTIC movie." (3/15/97)

wynne451@themall.net gives this movie ***** stars: "I have to say this movie was a big hit. The movie was watched many times over and over again,. loved everytime even more.  It was a movie that teens could relate to.  It was really good. And the actors and actress really helped!!!!!!  I was wondering if you could give me the site on how to get the lyrics on the soundtrack - Thanks." (3/8/97)  (If the lyrics aren't on the CD or tape of the soundtrack, I don't know how you'd get it.  Anyone out there have ideas?  Sorry I can't be more help on this...)

Patrick Wenzel gives this movie ****1/2 stars: "Pretty good movie. A bit confusing to understand. I wouldn't recommend it for the littly's. Generally for the 15 and up-wards age. Could have done with some understandable scenes." (3/2/97)

paldor@netconnect.com.au gives this movie ***** stars: "Stuff the movie, what about LEO!!!! No, the movie was excellent..A MUST see!! I loved it and so did all my friends and I wanna see it again. More because of Leo- Leo Leo, where for out thou Leo! Why did she have to touch his face, JUST, after he drank the poison??? ARGH!! I loved it just the same!!" (2/15/97)

Bernie gives this movie ***** stars: "This movie rocked the globe! I am a big fan of Shakespeare but I must admit that some of his works are hard to grasp due to his use of words. That is why this movie was so great it took young actors, who are very talented, turn something that too some people can be really confusing into something real and exciting. I don't know what Siskel and Ebert gave it but it deserves two thumbs up. AS for Leonardo DiCaprio he is the Bomb!WAY to go!!!" (2/6/97)

allen@tower.com.au gives this movie ***** stars: "After watching the movie, I thought it was the most stunning film I`ve ever since seen especially when I don't really have faith in films which are converted from books (a classic one at that). The protagonist did their parts very well although DiCaprio does overdo his lines sometimes. As a Shakespeare fan, I think its plain incorrect from other people to say that its too violent or its not the same as the book. If I want to see that kind of version I would`ve gone to the play rather than cinema. If this movie doesn't get more people to take notice of Shakespeare's work, nothing will." (2/1/97)

Josh Jones gives this movie ***** stars: "This movie was really cool the way they used some of these old words yet they all fit together in this point in time. I give it a 2 thumbs up too." (2/1/97)

Haley gives this movie ***** stars: "This movie kicked ass! I have never seen a better movie and I probably will never see a better movie. I disagree with anyone who gave this 2 or less stars. This is the best movie of the year! There was awesome acting by both Danes and DiCaprio as well as the rest of the cast. They made the ending as sad as possible, the theatre I was in all of the 7 times I have seen this movie was bawling their eyes out. I already have the soundtrack which also kicks ass. THIS MOVIE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!Plus Leo is HOT!" (1/26/97)

Bellebel@vortex.ufrgs.br gives this movie **** stars: "Juliet and Romeo wouldn't see each other." (1/23/97) (...huh?)

sgill@jeffco.k12.co.us gives this movie **** stars: "Both Romeo and Juliet were great actors, although this movie was set more in the 90's. I think they should have had Juliet stab herself, like shakespeare had written." (1/20/97)

janis.schmoelzer@vol.at says: "I think "Romeo & Juliet" is a very fantastic film. When I have seen it I watched it again and again." (1/14/98)

joel@omen.com.au gives this movie ***** stars: "Abosolutly Stunning, Amazing, Inspiring. The movie of the Year!!!!" (1/9/97)

ELF29@HOTMAIL.COM gives this movie ***** stars: "I have seen this movie four times already, and I think it is a excellent movie. I went to go see the movie beaucause Leonardo DiCaprio [one of the actors] is so good looking. After I saw the movie it gave me a whole new image on Leonardo DiCaprio and on shakespeare. It is also a movie that every time you see it you learn or notice something new. THIS IS A MOVIE YOU HAVE TO SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (12/23/96)

Shane gives this movie ***** stars: "When I left the theatre after watching this film, I couldn't help but to dwell on its beautiful, artistic individuality. The director did a superb job at transforming the original script into a modern day occurence. There was absolutely nothing I would change about this movie. It made me laugh and cry, and if a film possesses the power to do this, then you know it's a hit. By far the best film I have ever seen." (12/21/96)

alex_carlon@mcoe.k12.ca.us gives this movie * star: "The movie was insincere and unemotional. I never felt sadness or fear or happiness at anything these "Shakespearean" actors said or did. I tried to leave in the middle of it." (11/26/96)

plaskey@cello.gina.calstate.edu gives this movie ***** stars: "I am an avid Shakespearian fan. I have read more than a third of his plays and many of his poems and sonnets. I was convinced to view the movie with a large group of friends some of whom had seen it previously. I thought to myself; this is going to be a travesty, Shakespeare in the modern world?! How can his lines fit with gangs and guns? I was dead wrong!!! Nothing that I have seen is so powerful except Mel Gibson's Braveheart and Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves. I have seen the movie twice now, and when it comes out on video I'll be first in line. Shakespeare, as this movie proves, is alive and well. His tragedies are just as cathartic as they were when the Globe stood. I am again thrilled by the Bard, and when I go to the reopening of the Globe in June, he will live. Thank you to the director of this film, I am still not sure how you did it, but you successfully portrayed this play so that I believed that "Never has a story been of more woe/ than this! of Juliet and her Romeo." Especially, I liked the prologue. What a prologue!!! Also, I was impressed because they movie-makers could have made this a trashy film. But soft, they did not. Nothing was unnecessarily shown, i.e. gratuitous sex and violence. Only Mercutio's scratch, and that was nothing. BRAVO TO THE DIRECTOR!!!"  (11/26/96)

lyt@southwestern.edu gives this movie * star: "The movie was horrible on the simple basis that it was more a commercial endeavor rather than an attempt to revive the universality of a story like Romeo and Juliet." (11/26/96)

rparma.@carroll.com gives this movie ****1/2 stars: "I personally think that this movie was brilliantly made to fit modern or present day of 1996. I also can't think of a more perfect couple than Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes to play the parts of Romeo and Juliet. They played their parts beautifully with excitement and passion. The setting and the rest of the well picked cast was also extraodinary. I have to say that my favorite part has to be when they pan back out of the stage on the beach at night, right after Romeo's best friend dies it was gorgeous. One final thing that I know that everyone loved this movie was because Leonardo DiCaprio--" (message was cutoff...sorry).  (11/26/96)

hvandewall@macalester.edu gives this movie **** stars: "I was surprised at how well-done this adaptation is. The enormous cuts in the dialogue left Paris rather a non-entity, and didn't give the very talented Claire Danes an awful lot to do. However, it was visually stunning and truer to the original that I would have thought possible from the format. I want to see it again just to pick out all the nuances I missed. Check it out." (11/26/96)

Stacey1313@aol.com gives this movie ** stars.  "I thought that the best parts of this movie were seen not in the actual theater but on the television through the over exposure of previews. As a result, I was really dissappointed when it came to sitting in the theater. I couldn't relate to the directors form of Shakespearean comedy. I do not believe that this is an accurate portrayal of Shakespeare's play. For example, the comedic gang wars were fake. Yes, they were probably meant to reflect Shakespeare's form of crazy comic relief, but I believe that the director was entirely off. When Shakespeare used comedy, it was used to relieve the audience. If a killing had just taken place, a goofy-looking drunk guy would saunter on stage to make the audience laugh and to take the stress off the audience. Hence, comic relief. The director explained on MTV's tribute to Romeo & Juliet that his entire reason for directing this flick was to present the play in a modern twentieth century movie form as Shakespeare would have if he were still alive today. I do not believe that the director successfully accomplished his goal. The movie all together was entirely unrealistic contrary to the fact that Shakespeare's play Romeo & Juliet was really reflective of the daily pressures of its time. This movie, being a portrayal of the twentieth century, should have provided more realism to the audience. That is why I only give it two stars." (11/25/96)

Crystal Weisser gives this movie ***** stars.  "The most romantic movie of all time." (11/25/96)

Anonymous entry of ***** stars. "It was the best movie that I have seen in a long time!!  Maybe even ever!!  Even though it was so sad that I started crying, it was just awesome!!  It wasn't all spoiled with modern swears so you could enjoy it!!  I was surprised at how I could understand what they said!!  I also really like how they started and ended with the TV coverage, though at the end of the movie between the TV set being turned off and the credits there was complete silence and I was afraid I would start crying and be embarassed!!  The best movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  (11/25/96)  (...and no folks, I didn't add any exclamation points to this one...)

Christine Huynh gives this movie **** stars.  (11/25/96)

april.burton@utoronto.ca gives this movie * star.  "This movie was horrible, it made a mockery of William Shakespeare." (11/22/96)

jhb@awod.com gives this movie a ***** rating.  "Wow is right!  This movie rocked.  MTV and Generation-X meets the Bard.  If you could make it through the first really cheesy fight scene this movie was awesome...though from the number of dead carp looks in the audience, jaws hanging slack, eyes wide open yet glazed over, the Shakespearean English was a bit baffling at times...even with the numerous visual aids.  Claire Danes was terrific. The first Juliet that I've ever seen do the "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo..." scene right.  And Leonardo DiCaprio was fantastic as Romeo.  I have only one question about this film: did the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet really all boil down to undelivered mail?" (11/17/96)