This is a tragedy. And I'm not talking about the plot.

Rating: Null/10 (12 March 2003)

(There may be spoilers here, but not too big unless you don't have any idea of the plot of Romeo and Juliet) I may first add that I am a huge Shakespeare fan. I usually love all productions that have anything to do with any one of Shakespeare's plays. This cannot be Shakespeare's work. May I also add that I loved Moulin Rouge. I thought Nicole Kidman was stunning, that though it must have been a challenge to direct, it was well done. This cannot have been Baz Luhrmann's work. First of all, who thought of casting Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo? He obviously, as always, can't act.
Second, in the opening scene (I don't consider this to be a spoiler because everybody knows the general story) the two families get in a brawl at a gas station. May I add that the director overlooked the fact that if a match is lit and dropped in gasoline, the entire building would blow up? But no, of course, it only catches on fire.
Third, it was a mistake to "adapt" Shakespeare's words. All the lines in the movie were in the play, but huge sections were cut out. I don't even recall hearing a "Oh, happy dagger."
The acting reminds me of a soap opera I saw when I lived in England: Neighbors. It is the worst melodrama I had ever seen. I thought nothing could be worse than that show. Then I saw this movie. In the opening scene, they mimic old westerns, romantic comedies, and thrillers, and fail at all three.
I must give credit, however, to the person who cast Claire Danes as Juliet. She was stunning, and fits the part perfectly. I have rarely heard a person speak the lines as well as she did, with perfect feeling.
The sex scene (Okay, you knew it was coming, it's not a spoiler. I mean, the movie has DiCaprio in it!)was stupid. It was so predictable, yet somehow unbelievable.
I wish the acting of Leonardo DiCaprio had been better. If it had, I might have been able to reccomend this solely for Claire Danes' excellent work. Sadly, I cannot recommend it as he alone can scar your eyes.
Also, why did Luhrmann make Romeo take a pill before the party? And he's suddenly fine after throwing up, washing his face, and seeing Juliet? I'm sorry, but even marijuana lasts longer than that!
Overall, I would not recommend this movie unless you want a shot at directing a soap opera (You could pick up a lot of tips from this movie.) This barely would deserve the 2/10 I give it if it weren't for Claire Danes.