Film review: Romeo + Juliet (1997) directed by Baz Luhrmann.

This time it is another Romeo and Juliet film review... Quick, Baz Luhrmann's fast paced, action packed 1999 version is here! Within minutes we witness a brawl at a fuel station, with guns drawn. I find it ironic how the fuel station has a sign that reads add more fuel to the fire. The same sign keeps shot as bullets fly across the station's forecourt and this gun show only hints at what's to come.

Violence, bloodshed and tragedy fill this crazy film where the lovers destined never to be together face the troubles of their frictious families feuding. Juliet's cousin Tybalt is an irritant that gets set off at the sheer sight of poor Romeo. Then there's her father with a rage so strong, I felt just a tiny bit scared. After he loses it with Juliet, her mother does not even defend her and refuses to speak with her. I find this most unpleasant! It is no one wonder she does not want to marry the man her father chooses, considering she is love with Romeo Montague.

For Romeo, he swaps from Rosaline to Juliet like that. Though he love comes across as genuine, which is portrayed throughout the film multiple times. The scene in the bed was the one that demonstrated the greatest of their affection to one another. I liked how this differed from the play itself. However, there was a difference that I did not like as much. I wanted to see the scene where Paris and Romeo fight, leading to Paris' death. for this, this felt wrong as it adds another death, Romeo is responsible for. He stopped Paris taking his love. I did not see it in the film, did I miss it? Perhaps changing to a modern-day era was part of this reasoning, That change was an excellent decision I must add.

Anyway, despite all the love and hatred that is shared, the highlight of the film was on Verona beach. It was when Tybalt turns up to speak with someone before Romeo arrives having just married Tybalt's own cousin. But I refer to one moment in this scene. Mercutio's death. It was good that guns were not used because it came across as truer, having Mercutio stabbed. What I loved was how Mercutio said 'A plague on both your houses' and with that the weather drastically changed. The sunny weather suddenly became a wet, stormy weather. This was clever. Further to this, later on at night it started raining once Romeo ran down Tybalt and killed him. Also, I really liked how Tybalt's outfit was made to look as though he had cats feet, after Mercutio referred to him as Prince of Cats.

Here is a film that I find to be one of the best adaptations of a Shakespeare play that has ever been created. It is dramatic, funny, serious, wild and completely unlike anything else. This film gets a 10/10 from me.

Until next time,

Thomas.

Footnotes:

¹ "Act 3, Scene 1", Romeo + Juliet, directed by Baz Luhrmann  (1997; 20th Century Studios), Netflix.

Bibliography:

Luhrmann, Baz, dir. Romeo + Juliet. 1997; 20th Century Studios. Netflix.