Pure art and infinitely watchable

Rating: 7/10 (30 May 2008)

Is Baz Luhrmann a master artist? Perhaps so. After his flamboyant, colourful and often riotous debut with "Strictly Ballroom", which dazzled many audiences and captured the heart of Australian humour, many would have said yes. Now it seems that goes double after his latest creation, especially for this film lover.
I must say "Strictly Ballroom" did not exactly floor me when I saw it first, my expectations being higher than my appreciation. In hindsight though I can see what a clever stroke of originality it was. This time Luhrmann has boldly remade "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet", and again my expectations were high. Yet this time they were completely fulfilled.
Mr. Luhrmann has fashioned an incredible piece of cinema, modernising the old bard's famous tragedy and proving that it is truly timeless. His flamboyance and flair again shows, and early on in the film our director almost over indulges with his little extravagances. Then again the opening scenes do rather set the mood for what is a fantastic eye-fest of colour and light as we are treated to superlative sets, incredible art direction and magnificent costumes form Kym Barrett. In fact it is ingenious that the poetry of the visual goes hand in hand with the original, virtually unaltered text. of the heart rending play.
Renowned editor Jill Bilcock ("Evil Angels") does a marvellous job, as does cinematographer Donald McAlpine, brilliantly capturing some stunning, innovative shots of Luhrmann's gorgeous action. This is pure art, infinitely watchable.
Finally there is the cast, who can make or break a movie in which acting is of paramount import. And they make it! Leonardo Di Caprio is the ideal Romeo, and his dramatic scenes are truly convincing and very strong, making us believe all his anguish and sorrow. Fabulous too is pretty Juliet, the thoroughly charming and captivating Claire Danes who has no trouble making us believe that she would surely die for her beloved Romeo. The support is tops too, with John Leguizamo especially sinister as Tybalt, Juliet's cousin and "Prince of Cats". Romeo's good friend Mercutio is played well by Harold Perrineau, with Jesse Bradford as Balthasar (Romeo's aide) and Paul Rudd as the dashing Paris who would woo Juliet if she would have him. Miriam Margoyles is most enjoyable as young Juliet's nurse-maid, as is Pete Postlethwaite as the priest who tries so desperately to help the star-crossed lovers. The heads of each household, played by Brian Dennehy and Christina Pickles (as the Montagues) and Paul Sorvino and Diane Venora (Capulets), have little to do, but they do impress in the few scenes they have.
Please go and see this at the cinema.........................now!
Wednesday, February 12, 1997 - Waverley Pinewood Cinema
Luhrmann's elaborate, colourful, in your face interpretation of Shakespeare's timeless tragedy was bold to say the least. But it comes off! All the visual splendour loses a lot in the transition to the small screen, but as a piece of entertainment it is still quite a work.
All technical credits, including cinematography, editing, set design and costumes, are outstanding, and the vibrant pop soundtrack adds aural colour. Acting is the film's strongest suit with DiCaprio and Danes leading the way, both giving emotionally strong showings. The support cast also deliver with special mention to John Leguizamo as the obsessive Tybalt and Pete Postlethwaite as Friar Lawrence.
I strongly recommend a trip to the cinema for this or any Baz Luhrmann flick.
Saturday, December 27, 1997 - Video