Romeo + Juliet

1996 • 120 minutes

About this movie

Directed by Academy Award nominee Baz Luhrman (Moulin Rouge), this adaption of the classic Shakespearean play is passionate, visceral, sexy, violent, and other-worldly. Set in the mythical city of Verona Beach, the Montague's and Capulet's are two feuding families whose children meet and fall in love. Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Claire Danes) must hide their love from the world... but with tragic consequences.

Ratings and reviews

Over rated but I'm not a huge fan of the original play either. I did like the sound track and some of the ways they twisted things to modernise them.

A little difficult to watch in the beginning, you need to be prepared for Shakespeare's speech style. I love this original approach to a story which has been replayed soooo much. It is visionary. The cast are on point. The sentiment is not lost, the action and drama of this classic tragic romance is not only held but highlighted. Sometimes Romeo and Juliet can be "dull" or over fixed on the romantic focus. Not in this telling. Here it captures so well the family, friends, foes and challenges. Although the language is classic Shakespeare, the settings magically combine modern with original. Edgy, brave, brilliant.

This is a modern twist on an absolute classic; Claire and Leo do amazing jobs in their portrayals. It is romantic and riveting, frustrating and sad. It may be 400 odd years old but it still feels relevant in many ways. I could and do watch this movie over and over. It's in my top 5 favourite movies of all time, hands down.