Romeo + Juliet

The film that was a gift to me from Baz Luhrmann and Claire Danes. And an incredible treasure that is not for everyone, to my immense pleasure. From the machine gun editing and intoxicating zooms at the gas pumps to the grand interpretation of the most romantic story the world knows – this is pure art. (04/12/2004)

Luhrmann's version of Romeo + Juliet eluded me for a long time. While DiCaprio was fastidious before Titanic, Danes was simply pure, and the modern setting and grittier fights worked out well. I also liked the shattering of the classic balcony scene, but what I didn't like was the combination of modernism and Shakespearean language. I'd rather watch West Side Story. (03/07/2022)

The first Luhrmann film that’s bothered me with its superficiality. That fabled need for visual masturbation was present in this case too, of course, but it doesn't work in any positive way, because this time it's too "colorized", insanely over-stylized altogether, and some of the characters are at the very least begging for a beating (the opening scene at the gas station is the height of awkwardness and I had a strong urge to turn it off... ) Fortunately, it's then saved by Leo and Claire, whose intimate scenes are quite successful, but considering that the source material is the great William Shakespeare, there was tragically little emotion for my taste. The soundtrack was ok, the level of the visuals was not great for Luhrmann, the emotions were lacking, the central duo was all right. But overall nothing more than average. (01/11/2013)

I don't buy Luhramnn's attempt to be original at all costs in this film. I loved Moulin Rouge but here those annoying disco numbers irritated me, they didn’t move the plot forward, they were utterly unnecessary. Some have disliked the setting of the Shakespearean classic to the modern era, but I think the film benefited from it. The film is worth watching if only for the performances of Di Caprio and Danes. (11/05/2003)

Clearly the strongest aspect here is the beautiful (!!!) music. Hearing it must make all love look beautiful. The other win is of course young DiCaprio and partly Claire Danes. But I can't give much more praise than that. The setting of the amazing and familiar romantic story of Romeo and Juliet this time almost didn't work for me at all. Although I understand that it’s probably more palatable for the younger generation this way. 3 stars. (23/09/2011)