ROMEO + JULIET (1996) ‘Some will be pardon’d, and some punished.’

FILM: IX

How I watched the film

There are a thousand options to watch this film, ranging from online streaming, DVD, and YouTube. I wanted to go back to my teenager years however, when I remember watching it over and over again. So that only left one choice – VHS. Oh how I loved it.

Review

It’s difficult to take a classic story such as Romeo and Juliet and please everybody, and for many of the older generation this portrayal of it is akin to a sacrilegious text. However, for many of those of a slightly younger age this is the edition which will not only be highlighted as the best Shakespeare adaptation, but also a brilliant piece of film making which a generation will never forget. Baz Luhrmann has added so much depth for the post-modern audience and has made sure that his film is shown in every GCSE English lesson for generations to come.

The shooting of this film is truly magnificent, every scene pours with visual delights waiting to be analysed and torn apart. The rich colours, beautiful performances, heart pounding music, and delicious details all build the tension and raise the game of the film to epic proportions. Moments that will stay with audiences include Romeo and Juliet’s glances through a fish tank, Mercutio’s death which is performed so richly by Harold Perrineau that when he delivers the line ‘Plague upon both your houses’ you want to weep, and my favourite part in Shakespeare; the prologue… performed twice in equally compelling ways. Also not forgetting the song ‘Kissing You’ by Des’ree which enhanced the scene when Romeo and Juliet meet that you want to be running with them.

The most important scene however, the end suicide scene, is so beautifully designed and executed that your that lump in your throat might, just might, turn into a tear, and I know many a teenager girl where that happened. ‘Some shall be pardon’d, and some punished: For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.’ Ohh, I’ve gone weak.

Moments of a masterpiece:

• The opening prologue and introduction to the characters.
• When Romeo and Tybalt fight, ending in Mercutio’s death.

Moments you should turn away from:

• Turn away, pffff, no you don’t.

Characters who should of had more screen time:

• Lady Capulet… I love that she is a diva.

Worst Performance

• Now I am going to land myself in trouble here; Claire Danes… Just does an alright job.

The Dog Effect

• A couple of dogs on Verona Beach… maybe.

Important scenes

1. The Capulet Party, where Juliet and Romeo meet and that bloody fish tank.
2. Romeo and Juliet’s secret marriage… teenage marriage, isn’t it wonderful.
3. Not only the fight between Romeo and Tybalt and Mercutio’s death but also the chase which ends up in Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment.
4. Suicide death, a lot of crying from both Danes and DiCaprio.

Director: Baz Lurhmann

Producer: Baz Lurhmann

Written: William Shakespeare

Studio: 20^th Century Fox

Distributed by: 20^th Century Fox