It works!

Rating: Null/10 (18 March 1999)

The idea of keeping Shakespearian language in a modernish setting sounds a little strange, but it works! Half-way through the movie I had forgotten that the language was 400 years old and I had no trouble at all understanding what was happening. Not only do the actors say the words in a way that lets you understand, but also the actors are so visual and expressive that you could almost understand the movie without any words at all. (though the words are wonderful and definitely worth keeping!) Leo and Claire were both great and were totally convincing as young people in love. Leo has gotten so much backlash after his popularity as Titanic, but he CAN act. (If you don't believe that after R+J, go watch Gilbert Grape, he's the only good part of the movie) I've watched this movie 3 times, with a period of about 3 months between each time, and every time my amazement is refreshed. In between, I slowly forget how good he (not to mention the movie) is! I don't think he's the hottest guy alive or anything like that, but I admit (with a little embarrassment!) that his talent and looks combined in this movie make him very attractive. Claire Danes is awesome too, her role in this made her one of my favorite female actors. The scene when Romeo and Juliet first meet is one of the best in the movie. You can almost see the electricity between them! The other actors were all good too. John Leguizamo is very convincing, the Friar and Nurse were good and Mercutio is a fun, likable character. Oh yes, some people complain about the "MTV" likeness and the music. I wouldn't know about MTV, because I never watch it, but I think the music was very good. I especially loved the boy's choir song in the wedding scene. And of course the tragic end scene....That was lovely. It's the scene I dislike the most (besides the Romeo murdering Tybalt scene, that's just scary) because of what happens, but it is also very great acting. My friends (who I watched it with) and I kept telling Romeo not to drink the poison, Juliet wasn't dead, but of course he does it every time! I love all the candles around in this scene, that's was a wonderful touch. I think that's all I'll say, except I must mention that I don't think Shakespeare would be turning over in his grave. This movie introduces a new generation to Shakespeare and makes it understandable and enjoyable, creating some new fans who might have before thought that Shakespeare was hard to understand and boring.