the only shakespeare on film worth seeing

Rating: Null/10 (5 August 2003)

the key word here is "seeing". "Much Ado about Nothing", the Branagh version, was a brilliant adaptation, but it isn't necessary to put your glasses on for it. you can listen to it with the video turned off and imagine everything you are hearing. which is fine. saves electricity.
the amazing thing about this interpretation of romeo and juliet is that it brings the ancient story into the modern day without changing a word of dialog. somebody told me that substantial parts of the play have been edited out, but i've read the play several times and i didn't notice anything missing.
the first key to this movie's cinematic (and i believe commericial) success is that the director didn't attempt to update the play AT ALL! he merely changed the costumes and props. in doing this, he compels us not to distance ourselves historically from the characters. when we read historical fiction, we have a tendency to shake our heads and say, "people were strange back in those days". we can't do this with this version of shakespeare. in fact, after seeing this film, you'll walk out realizing how little human nature has changed over the centuries.
the second key is that this film was directed by a MOVIE director, rather than a theater director who wants to record his work for posterity. this director had already made his mark with an amazing australian indie "strictly ballroom", and was shooting for the next level. he achieved his mark.