Writer/Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes and Paul Rudd
‘A Spectacular Adaptation’
Not many actors that gained fame years ago are as beloved as Leonardo DiCaprio. Following the 1990’s, DiCaprio has proven to be an icon. Whether it’s destructive lovers, departed cops or Wall Street stockbrokers, DiCaprio has played countless compelling characters. Arguably, DiCaprio’s strength as an actor has often been his commitment to craft. He is a one of a kind actor which has poured both heart and soul into every role. Through ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, DiCaprio has created a legacy that is lasting. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, DiCaprio has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout a lasting career, DiCaprio has produced several memorable movies which are absolutely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of DiCaprio and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Romeo + Juliet” is my favourite. Released in 1996, Baz Luhrmann’s movie provided an impressive adaptation of a commemorated Shakespeare play. Packed with captivating production design, stirring storytelling and fantastic performances, it’s one of the best Shakespeare films ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays a heartthrob which experiences sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Romeo + Juliet” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Shakespeare, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. An extraordinary adaptation of a beloved Shakespeare play, there are many strong reasons why “Romeo + Juliet” is worth watching.
Based upon the beloved Shakespeare play, “Romeo + Juliet” tells a story of lovers that experience price to pay. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Romeo, a lonely heartthrob facing sorrow. Romeo has always shared a strong bond with his gang of the Montagues whom has he adored dearly. However, Romeo’s life changes when he falls in love with Juliet in a doomed relationship causing disaster. Juliet (Claire Danes) is a beautiful woman strongly associating with the Capulet gang. As odds are stacked against their favour, Romeo and Julie struggle to maintain romantic bonds in gangs facing pressure. Faced with a serious dilemma, Romeo questions whether it’a truly possible to maintain romance in a world that causes trauma.
Baz Luhrmann is a newcomer towards the stories of Shakespeare. Before he directed “Romeo + Juliet”, Luhrmann hadn’t made a Shakespeare film. It was the director’s first attempt to adapt a legendary Shakespeare play but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Luhrmann captures a pair of lovers embarking upon a journey to find their identity. Recalling Robert Benton’s “Romeo + Juliet”, Luhrmann effectively uses point of view shots to capture the romantic relationships between a pair of lovers. For instance, POV shots enhance the romantic meeting scene. During this heartfelt scene, Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time at a party sparking their romantic relationships. Using POV shots, Luhrmann crafts a portrait of Shakespeare that’s compelling. Point of view shots are tricky techniques. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” demonstrated, POV shots enhance crime films about cops. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Using stunning visuals. Luhrmann captures tensions that lovers in doomed romance are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Romeo + Juliet” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s the most impressive Shakespeare adaptation you will ever see. Inspired with Ang Lee’s “Sense & Sensibility”, Luhrmann deftly uses costumes to capture a doomed romantic relationship among lovers facing adversity. Throughout the movie, Romeo’s costumes showcase his strong personal association with the gang of the Montagues. Using strong costumes, Luhrmann crafts a portrait of Shakespeare that’s engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Craig Armstrong’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere celebrating legacy of Shakespeare. Through bold production, Luhrmann captures doomed lovers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Romeo + Juliet” is a Shakespeare film that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to convey tension doomed lovers are facing. Inspired with Kenneth Branagh’s “Hamlet”, Luhrmann effectively uses monologues to capture doomed lovers which face regret. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the gang tension scene. During this intense scene, Romeo delivers an emotional speech expressing love for Juliet towards his gang. Through dramatic monologues, Luhrmann crafts a portrait of Shakespeare audiences can easily relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques to use in movies. As James Cameron’s “Titanic” demonstrated, monologues enhance movies about tragic shipwrecks. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Luhrmann celebrates a legacy of an iconic Shakespeare play.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his best career performances as Romeo. DiCaprio earned appreciations for playing doomed lovers in disaster movies. With “Romeo + Juliet”, however, DiCaprio took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray an iconic literary Shakespeare character but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. It’s a role that gave the actor chances to showcase his talent for delivering strong monologues. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief faced by a doomed lover facing tensions. It is a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors that’s working in the film industry today.
While the movie is mainly strong showcase for DiCaprio, the supporting cast is superb and also worthy of recognition. Claire Danes is captivating, capturing the fear faced by a woman that falls in love with a gang rival in relationships causing despair. Paul Rudd is powerful, capturing the hardships faced by a gang member whose troubles are hard to recall. Lastly, John Leguizamo merits praise. As a flamboyant gang member, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “Romeo + Juliet” would achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of doomed lovers facing regret. Unlike most Shakespeare adaptations, the movie tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as ambition, doomed love and grief which will resonate among everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Shakespeare fans to enjoy it. Therefore, “Romeo + Juliet” is one of those rare Shakespeare adaptations everyone will adore.
Fans of Leonardo DiCaprio would enjoy “Romeo + Juliet” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular Shakespeare adaptation, it honours an actor with dedication.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about lovers facing a burden to bear that celebrated legacy of Shakespeare, it’s a riveting reminder of an extraordinary actor that has established a successful career through his capability to portray compelling characters in bold films about which audiences commonly always care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 