Aidan At The Movies: William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet

Picture this: a modern take of this classic Shakespeare tale set in the city suburbs with bizarre imagery, guns, and the original Shakespearian dialogue. Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes (My So Called Life) star as the two star-crossed lovers in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet. Also starring John Leguizamo (Spawn and Moulin Rouge) as Tybalt, Diane Verona, Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas), Pete Postlethwaite (The Usual Suspects and Jurassic Park: The Lost World) as Father Laurence, Harold Perrineau as Mertcutio, Brian Dennheny (Silverado and Cocoon) and Paul Rudd (Marvel's Ant-Man) as Dave Paris. With music by Radiohead, Garbage, Mundy, Everclear, Gavin Friday, and more.

Like in the traditional tale, The Montagues and Capulets are feuding families whose children, Romeo and Juliet, fall in love. Knowing their parents won't allow this relationship, Romeo and Juliet try to keep their love in secret from their families. Alas, there are obstacles to go through and prices to pay for this to go on. The story is the same, but the visuals are modern with eye catching costumes and makeup, and guns.

I first saw this version of Romeo and Juliet back in 2016 in my sophomore year at high school after we read R&J. I was actually hoping we'd watch West Side Story (another modern take of Romeo and Juliet). But when my English teacher told me that the one we were going to watch had DiCaprio in it, I was immediately interested, because DiCaprio is one of my many favorite actors. As I was watching it in class, my mind was totally blown on how the story was portrayed in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet.

What I love about this is how they spoke the original Shakespeare words of the play rather than a modern translation. It makes this more, well, Shakespeare-like. Also, DiCaprio's performance as Romeo is what you'd expect from any performance from DiCaprio... Epic! Sure, he did awesome in movies like Titanic, Gilbert Grape, Wolf of Wall Street, and Basketball Diaries, but I think it's safe to say that Romeo + Juliet is my favorite DiCaprio movie.

This one of two of my favorite versions of Romeo and Juliet. The other, as you may have guessed, is West Side Story. Now, West Side Story is similar to Baz Luhrmann's R+J, only it took place in the late '50s-early '60s and it's a musical. I've been meaning to do a review of this classic musical on my blog for years, but was too busy. Sometime this coming months, I'll post it to follow this review.

In conclusion, if you love Shakespeare and romantic tragedies and Leonardo DiCaprio, grab your loved one and get your tissues ready and go rent Romeo + Juliet.

NOTE: Now, there are some parts of this movie that are weird. Like the beginning of the costume ball where Romeo and Juliet would meet. Some of Romeo's friends were in drag with very revealing clothing, doing exotic dances. Just be prepared for some bizarreness.

Parents Guide: This movie is rated PG-13 for scenes of contemporary violence and some sensuality. Some bloody violence, heavy drug use, and sexual content. Yes, there is a sex scene, but feel free to skip it if you're not comfortable seeing stuff like that. Tragically in the end, the star-crossed lovers committed suicide from poison and a gun in a room full of candles. This scene may be intense and tear-jerking.

Did You Know?: One of the crew members was kidnapped by gang members in ransom for $300! Claire Danes and DiCaprio did NOT get along on set. Christian Bale was considered for the role of Mertcutio. Teen heartthrob, Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser and Doctor Horrible), was considered for Romeo. However, DiCaprio was Baz Luhrmann's first choice for Romeo.