Romeo + Juliet (1996)
A modern-day update of Shakespeare’s tragedy transports the feuding Montagues and Capulets to Verona Beach. Amidst the chaos of gang warfare and fast cars, the young Romeo and Juliet fall instantly and passionately in love. They secretly marry, hoping to end their families’ violent feud, only for a series of tragic events to lead to their heartbreaking, untimely deaths.
Length: 2h0m
Genre: Drama, Romance, Tragedy
This Title is: Visually stunning, romantic, and tragic
Stream Romeo + Juliet (1996) on: Netflix Canada
Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo, Harold Perrineau, Pete Postlethwaite
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: PG-13 – Moderate violence, brief sensuality, and some drug content
Trivia
- The guns used by the characters were explicitly labeled with modern-day brand names that also corresponded to the names of the swords they replaced in Shakespeare’s original play.
- The extravagant visual style was heavily influenced by the aesthetic and rapid-fire editing techniques of 1990s MTV music videos.
- Despite the contemporary setting, the production meticulously retained William Shakespeare’s original Elizabethan dialogue from the 16th-century source material.
Trailer
Our Review
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I am completely captivated by the creative brilliance on display here. Director Baz Luhrmann transforms Shakespeare’s classic play into a breathtaking, electrifying spectacle. The decision to retain the original language while modernizing the aesthetics with explosive action, neon-lit gang culture, and fast-paced editing is a stroke of genius. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes deliver powerhouse acting, embodying the youthful intensity and deep love of the titular characters with absolute conviction. Their chemistry is beautiful, giving the tragic central relationship an incredible emotional weight. The visuals are stunningly inventive, making every frame feel like a vibrant piece of pop art. Furthermore, the carefully curated soundtrack pulses with energy and perfectly complements the heightened drama. It is a wildly entertaining experience that stands as a revolutionary adaptation of classic source material.
