Didn't capture me till the end...

Rating: Null/10 (20 March 2001)

I love William Shakespeare, so I watched this movie warily, unsure if it was about to be ruined for me. Clare Danes isn't my favourite actress. I find her whiney and emotionless most of the time. She made a decent, if bland, Juliet.
The scenery is gorgeous, though, and the idea of placing the story in modern times, but keeping the dialogue the Bard wrote is excellent. The contrast is perfect and really catches your attention.
Regardless of all that, the movie didn't really grab my heart and I didn't expect to shed a tear. I watched rather impassively till the very end. Then Romeo drank the poison...and Juliet opened her eyes. The look of horror on Romeo's face -- when he sees she *is* alive and he knows he's just ended his -- made my heart ache. A few tears were shed at that moment.
Overall I give it 7.5 out of 10.