Dec 18, 2009

William Shakespeare | Romeo and Juliet (1996)

Before the release of this film, Franco Zeffirelli's version (1968) was considered the definitive one. Baz Luhrmann, however, proved that fidelity to the text and a medieval setting are not a requirement to Shakespeare on film. From the opening moments, Luhrmann takes control of the screen and does not let go. The visuals, such as turning the names of the swords in the text into the names of guns, and placing Shakespeare plays or quotations in place of a commercial product, make absolute sense. In addition, Luhrmann staunchly defended the American accents of the two leads, Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Luhrmann put his trust in the text and allowed himself to express his creative vision in a way that would make the story clear. He contextualises the 'death-marked love' of the 'star-crossed lovers' as a media event in a modern city, with a feud between the two corporate entities of Montague and Capulet. But perhaps his most radical idea was placing the 'balcony' scene in a swimming pool. For this, Luhrmann was severely criticised, but in actuality, there is no balcony mentioned or indicated by stage directions in the play as Shakespeare wrote it. Luhrmann demonstrates that not only can Shakespeare be fun, but also that it can be a visual treat. And it works. It works well. A must-see. - J.R. Costa

Cast: Romeo: Leonardo DiCaprio; Anchorwoman: Edwina Moore; Gregory: Zak Orth; Juliet: Claire Danes; Sampson: Jamie Kennedy; Benvolio: Dash Mihok; Attractive Girl: Lupita Ochoa; Nun: Gloria Silva; Abra: Vincent Laresca; Petruchio: Carlos Martin Manzo Otelora; Middle Age Occupants: Carolyn Valero, Paco Morayta; Tybalt: John Leguizamo; Kid with Toy Gun: Rodrigo Escandon; Station Mother: Margarita Wynne; Fulgencio Capulet: Paul Sorvino; Ted Montague: Brian Dennehy; Dave Paris: Paul Rudd; Balthasar: Jesse Bradford; Apothecary: M. Emmet Walsh; Susan Santandiago: Harriet Harris; Rich Ranchidis: Michael Corbett; Gloria Capulet, Diane Venora; The Nurse: Miriam Margolyes; Peter: Pedro Altamirano; Mercutio: Harold Perrineau; Capulet Bouncer: Mario Cimarro; Diva: Des'ree; OP Officer: Ismael Eguiarte; Father Laurence: Pete Postlethwaite; Altar Boys: Richard Barona, Fausto Barona, Alex Newman, Cory Newman; Choir Boy: Quindon Tarver; Post Haste Delivery Man: Jorge Abraham; Sacristan: John Sterlini; Undertaker: Farnesio de Bernal; Post Haste Clerk: Catalina Botello.

Director: Baz Luhrmann; Writers: William Shakespeare; Craig Pearce, Baz Luhrmann; Producers: Jill Bilcock, Martin Brown, Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gabriella Martinelli; Production Companies: 20th Century Fox, Bazmark Films.

Colour. Runtime: 120 mins.