Deseret News | Movie review: William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet

Reader comments
William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet

Avi Green | 10:12 a.m. Sept. 21, 1999

I agree, this is what's known as "Theater of the Absurd".
It was most ridiculous to have to hear the gangsters played
by such actors as DiCaprio saying things like "draw your
sword!", only to have to see them drawing out Smith and
Wesson pistols that shone like the top of the Chrysler
building in New York. Is it really that neccessary to write
updated versions of Shakespere classics? What next, an
updated version of "Julius Ceasar"? This is not to say that
the film isn't worth watching, but it's no real rush to
check out either. I guess this is why I hope to see the
original versions of Shakespere's plays instead someday.

kirsty | 3:08 p.m. April 26, 2000

i think the Baz Luhrmans 'Romeo and Juliet' is brilliant.
I had not read the play when i saw the film but i found it
truly amazing. It was well acted, moving, touching and
gave a new way of people who are not very good at English,
to understand one of the greatest writers of all time.
I then went on to read Shakespere's 'Romeo and Juliet' for
Higher English. While reading it i would picture scenes
from the film which made it a lot easier to understand and,
in some ways, relate to. Although there is obmission in
the film i still think it is a good interpritation and
credit should be given because it is certainly due.

fhfhh | 11:46 a.m. March 10, 2005

this film was the best i have seen in ages i think it was a
brilliant way to get william shakespeares plays across to
people like me and the rest of my class. if i could i would
watch it over and over

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Movie Info

Rated PG13 for violence, vulgarity, partial nudity, drug use.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, Brian Dennehy, John Leguizamo, Pete Postlethwaite, Paul Sorvino, Diane Venora.

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