Oh Romeo, Oh Romeo. . .

Romeo + Juliet.

I was not a Baz Luhrman fan before renting this movie. I'm considering becoming a fan now that I've seen it.

Moulin Rouge left me wanting anything but what I had seen. The mix of music and costume, serious and fun was just all wrong but enough about that. What I felt was off in Moulin Rouge was completely on in this "modern" adaptation of Shakespeare's most known drama.

For the hard core Shakespeareans this would never be their cup of tea. In a classic interpretation this setting and pizazz is almost vulgar at times. Yet if you straddle the line, like me, between loving the classics and living in the here and now you will find this a unique interpretation. Its difficult to call it a modern day adaptation of the play because well I wonder if any one's modern day is like that. Still I digress it is quite modern in its provocative twist on the work.

Not entirely accurate to the play (only Father Laurence speaks totally in iambic pentameter, many references and even lines in the film actually come from other Shakespeare plays, swords are replaced for guns etc.) the mix of the current with the classic text works. As wild and out there as the film gets the strong tie to the original is deeply felt. It works very well on so many levels.

The main of these levels is the passion of the actors. As much as I am a literature major deep into the film I found myself drawn into this new Shakespeare-esq world. The doe-eyed Claire Danes was the exact personification of the Juliet known and loved from the text. While I don't think my imagined image of Romeo was ever much like Leonardo DiCaprio, it is now. The embodiment of brooding and passion DiCaprio sizzles on the screen. These two, then youths, absolutely ignite the scene in a forbidden love desire that is at par (or day I say more vivid) than when it is read off the page.

So while at times a bit cheeky and confusing, especially for one non-versed in the original play, this adaptation of Romeo + Juliet is well worth the watch. As for my now love-hate relationship with ole' Baz I give him and A- for this one and a D for Moulin Rouge which leaves us at about a C. We will have to leave this quarrel here until Australia or Strictly Ballroom can resolve this. But kudos to you sir for this breathtaking spin on one of my favorite works of all time. Delightful.

<3