“Two Star-Crossed Lover’s Take Their Life”, were words written by William Shakespeare. He didn’t know that his characters would do just that, but this time with weapons. When Baz Luhrmann remade this immortal classic, he did so with a fresh new perspective that defined a whole new generation. Few could see the new version of “Romeo and Juliet” without being amazed by its art and visionary concepts. Suddenly Shakespeare was understandable to the children who shook, what was for them and the game old-fashioned. Luhrmann’s approach was not even close. He is as old-fashioned as Paris Hilton is a new set of stilettos.

Shakespeare is difficult to speak. You can speak it, but many times you get stuck in the monotony. It’s a challenge being a Shakespearean actor, because you have to speak it like it’s modern dialogue. That said, the entire cast was phenomenal at it. In many of Leonardo DiCaprio’s earlier works, he can be the same romantic Joe with the same delivery lines (for example, as in “Titanic”). In this movie he does just that, but it works for his role as “Romeo.” A teenager in love has always played well, but in this one he also plays his dramatic scenes very well. The emotions in his eyes when he films “Tybalt” are impressive. One of my favorite actresses in the entire movie is Claire Danes, who plays “Juliet.” Whatever role she plays, she always has such a natural honesty in her portrayals that she really sells well. The suicide scene almost broke my heart. Her tears flow as if from a center of vulnerability that is incredible to watch. The best performance was Juan Leguizamo as “Teobaldo Capuleto”. The role of him is not very big, but the role is a very fundamental character. What it adds to the character is so much personal detail that you feel like you know this person from the moment he appears on screen. The scene where “Mercutio” is dying really shows his rank and tells you how violence has dominated “Tybalt’s” life.

Technically the movie was superb. Baz Luhrmann is a master director, because no matter what he’s directing, he takes you to a completely different planet. This adaptation works thanks to him. In fact, you almost feel like you’re on a drug trip. Every color, person, accessory, and scene has a purpose and a feeling. Also, the music inn from the movie is a very nice accent. The music is the only non-Shakespearean written dialogue in the entire film. It does a great job of reinforcing messages and connections with the modern audience. Last but not least is the scenic design. Each set was so beautifully designed for each scene that you always have something to look at. From the candlelight suicide scene, to the electoral procession scene, to “Father Lawrence’s” cell, etc., etc., etc., I could go on and on.

If there was ever a standout message in this movie, it would be the effect of violence. In the play, no one really knows what started the feud between the two families. In the film it is vaguely seen that they are business rivals and that there could be something behind it. Whatever it is, children become violent. The violence never stops. If you start it will become a recurring theme. The actions of “Tiobald” killing “Mercutio” results in “Romeo” killing “Tiobald”, ultimately resulting in the suicide of “Romeo” and “Juliet”. We are shown that death is the only consequence of violence. Also, the piece has an underlying theme about teen romance. After all, just because the movie is in front of us doesn’t mean we should believe it. We have the ability as an audience to do just that. We’ll never really know if “Romeo” and “Juliet” were really in love. We are shown from the beginning that “Romeo” is fickle. At one point he talks about how much he loves “Rosaline” and the next about “Juliet”. The only difference is that “Juliet” returns her affection while “Rosaline” does not. Both “Juliet” and “Romeo” are just romantically inclined teenagers. In fact, we’ll never really know if their love would have lasted. In general, it really doesn’t matter. It is true that we love differently when we are teenagers than when we are adults, but it still means the same thing… that we are in love.

While Shakespeare could never have predicted how our future has changed things, I think if he were here to see it, he would respect this new adaptation. It would only work with a visionary like Baz Luhrmann. It has given teenagers of our time a way to feel connected to some of Shakespeare’s plays, or maybe just a way to understand them a little better. It also gives us a great movie that we can sit down and talk about. A film that will last for generations.

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