William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Movie Review 1996

Bright, loud update of Shakespeare's tragedy of feuding families and first love. Contemporary fantasy setting, Verona Beach, and attitude (the Montagues and the Capulets are business rivals), with the 16th-century Elizabethan language intact, although Luhrmann's said to have cut half the text. Hot-blooded Romeo (DiCaprio) takes one look at angelic Juliet (Danes) and falls immediately in love/lust. This doesn't please Juliet's family, including quick-tempered cousin Tybalt (Leguizamo) who goes after Romeo with far-reaching consequences. DiCaprio's remarkable and the young duo look wonderful together. A big hit with the teens. Filmed in Mexico City.

Distribution

Fox Home Entertainment, PO Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213, Phone: (310)369-3900, Toll-free: 888-223-4FOX, Fax: (310)369-5811, URL: http://www.foxmovies.com/index1.html, Remarks: Also known as Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 120 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Romantic Drama, Modern Shakespeare, Tragedy, Teen Angst, Family Ties, Adapted from a Play, Plays to Film: William Shakespeare, Modern Updates, Teen Romance

Screenplay

Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Paul Sorvino, Brian Dennehy, Diane Venora, Pete Postlethwaite, Paul Rudd, Harold Perrineau, Jesse Bradford, Miriam Margolyes, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Christina Pickles, M. Emmet Walsh

Cinematography

Donald McAlpine

Director

Baz Luhrmann

Music

Nellee Hooper

Producer

Gabriella Martinelli, Baz Luhrmann, Bazmark, 20th Century-Fox

Awards

British Acad. 1997: Adapt. Screenplay, Art Dir./Set Dec., Director (Luhrmann), Score; MTV Movie Awards 1997: Female Perf. (Danes).