Post-modern tripe.

Rating: 3/10 (18 July 2011)

All set for the new century Baz Luhrmann updated one of the best loved stories of all time. Unfortunately it didn?t work. There is an uncomfortable clash between the modern setting and the original Shakespearean dialogue. The dialogue is delivered as though it were written by a contemporary writer-as is the point. However as a result the tone of the actors is wrong- for much of the film the cast sound as though they are about to break into laughter. 1990's teenagers reading 15th century literature in this tone simply doesn't work. It is in this that the adaptation loses its power, by diminishing the power of the original story Luhrmann's film has nothing but lots of fancy, overly stylised camera work?oh and Leo, which speaks volumes for the success of the film. Aimed at the teenage (female) audience much of it?s success was surely down to the young heart-throb?s presence.
I realise I've gone on about the dialogue quite a bit but considering this is an adaptation of a play i think it is fair criticism.