DVD : Romeo And Juliet [1997]

Rating: - Brilliant - Must See
Personally I love this film. I would recommend it to anyone. There are so many memorable performances that it's hard to single anyone out. For me, John Leguiziamo as Tybalt gives an incredibly muscular, powerful performance, while Pete Postlethwaite (the Friar) and Paul Sorvino (Juliet's father) are compelling, even quietly astonishing. The leads have a chemistry that manages to be both sweet and deeply passionate at the same time, which makes the curtailment of their love all the more tragic.

Also, for once, Mercutio does not steal the show. I have seen so many performances where the death of Mercutio seems to be the greatest tragedy of the play and the loss of the lovers a sad addendum to it. In this film, while Mercutio's passing is tragic and sad, it adds to the momentum of the story rather than ending it. A lot of that is down to Leonardo Di Caprio, who's preformance is also a gem. His Romeo is sensitive, sweet and dreamy but also a man of passions, of action and a warrior. Claire Dane's Juliet is both thoughtful and playful and they are delightfully suited. I fell in love with their love.

I admit it. I cared, and I cried.

The editing of the script is not a problem for me. In this film it works. This isn't the defining version of R&J. I'm not sure there ever can be such a thing. However it is a truly brilliant film and demands your attention throughout.

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Rating: - Accent on worldliness
The opening sequence of this film includes arial shots of an American city in which a church spire is dominated by two much taller skyscrapers belonging to the chief businesses there. Visually, this sums up one of the important themes of the play, how material values in Verona have become more important than spiritual ones. There are many more ways in which this film intelligently translates Shakespeare's words into pictures. Particularly enjoyable is the way in which, at the Capulet's party, all the major characters play a symbol of themselves: Tybalt is a devil, Lady Capulet is Cleopatra, Mercutio is a transvestite, Juliet is an angel, and though Romeo begins as an astronaut, he ends up looking far more like a knight in shinning armour. The text is very much shorter than we might expect and few of the actors speak the text with much lyricism but anyone who has to teach this play might do a lot worse than ask students to compare and contrast this with Zeffirelli's version, but beware, your discussion could go on for several sessions.

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Rating: - Wow!!
I'm gonna keep this brief But oh my God could this film get an better?? it's amazing seriously Buy it now, you'll love it!!

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Rating: - Perfect!
One of the best films of our time! certainly the best Shakespeare adaptation on film. The acting, sets and props are stunning. A movie to move you. You must see this before you die!

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Rating: - romeo and juliette
at first i thought that this film was really REALLY odd! it is set in fair Verona which is a modern day city much like New York and then they stat speaking and its all "thou, thy and nay" yet its in modrn day with guns and cars. but then u keep on watchin and see a remarkable love story emerge and u follow the breathtakingly beautiful story of two people from two rival famlies and see how something so precious emerges from a past of hatred and anger.

the leads are fab, claire danes is rather plain and doesnt suit a typical holywood actress steareotype but really suits the role of juliette. and leonardo dicaprio also fits into the role of romeo very well and they both have totally amazin chemistry throughout the film.

theres some amazin scenes like when they meet for the first time when marcucio dies and when the classic "romeo, romeo where for art thou romeo??!" is shown to us. the best bit of the filmis the endin. it really was superb and a really movin ending to a great film.

even if u h8 the beginiing please watch right to the end. im not goin to say you'll love it but i think its a really great film and shows how powerful and wonderful two peoples love for oneanother really is