Romeo and Juliet (1996/2013)

Romeo + Juilet 1996

Director: 

Baz Luhrmann

Plot synopsis: 

A modernized adaption of Shakespeare play, though still set in fair Verona, the Capulet's and Montague's are now warring businesses empires fighting for dominance of the city.

First thoughts: 

I didn’t watch this film out of choice, but had to study it as part of my GCSE, writing an essay comparing the film adaption and the original plays text.

Rating: 4 Stars

Review (Unspoiled): 

I found this modern adaption of the play fantastic. It was easy to follow even with all the original dialogue and was a clear show of how timeless the text is as it made sense even in the new setting. The time setting gave the tale new life and was a great twist.

Bottom line: 

Amazing and original retelling.

Recommend: 

Yes.

Spoiler Section:

In the adaption I didn’t find the romantic aspect stupid as Luhrmann introduces the characters to each other in such away that he makes the audience feel the wonder and rampant energy between the two that somehow explains the whirl wind romance. I thought there was a clear amount of chemistry between the actors that carried the story along nicely and came across well in the wedding night scene as well as the next morning.

The soundtrack to the film paired with it greatly, keeping up the modern vibe without being to much.

Best Character: Mercutio, he was such a big character that his death felt as important as it needs to be to the narrative.

Worst Character: 

Lord Capulet, worst in character but best in acting, the fight scene between him and Juliet was truly scary. Paul Servinos portrayal as the over bearing father was frighteningly good setting the mood of the scene of perfectly.

Best Moment: 

I like the party as well as the nurses scenes, as I thought the actress took the part very well.

Worst Moment: 

The pairs death scene. In this adaption at least you saw real emotion, it was heart breaking to see her eyes open as he downed the poison.

 Romeo and Juliet 2013

Director: 

Carlo Carlei

Plot synopsis: 

The classic tale is told once again, in the traditional setting of Renaissance Verona.

First thoughts: 

I love both the play and the Baz Luhrmann adaption and was apprehensive of them making yet another version, especially one set in the traditional time and place setting as there would be nothing new or original about it. It would just be another mediocre adaption that's only real offerings were the costumes and backdrops.

Rating: 2 Stars

Review (Unspoiled): 

As predicted it was rich in costumes and lavish settings, indulging in shots of flowing dresses and establishing shots of the buildings. In terms of the casting I found Douglas Booth as Romeo a little to pretty, which I'm sure for most would make up for when he acting lacked. Together I did not favor the pair as the star-crossed lovers, they didn’t seem to match in a way that I doubted their chemistry. The other actors were all found lacking, the nurse was continuously over-acting, whilst the mother doing little more than standing around and smiling coyly. The film has been seen as controversial for not using the full and traditional dialogue of Shakespeare’s play, though even with the changes the actors gave of the air of reciting poetry and not actually acting through their lines.

Bottom line: 

Nothing but yet another re-telling, going through the plays narrative without any passion or energy.

Recommend: 

No, watch the Baz Luhrmann adaption, its infinity better.

Spoiler Section:

There are many important points in Shakespeare's play, and I felt that the majority were overlooked in this adaption. The face-off between Tybalt and Mercutio beginning one of them. Firstly, Mercutio was not made out to be much of a character at all, he felt more like a know it all prat which made his death feel insignificant though we all no it to be the turning point for the story. The actor lamely gasped out his final words, not giving them any gusto and fell limp and lifeless. Secondly, the scene itself started with a slow-mo shot of Tybalt and his men approaching with his hair flying about like some L’Oreal ad, setting the mood for the on coming ridiculousness of Tybalt's death.

As I have already written I did not like the pairing of Booth and Steinfield. Half way through I came to the anxious realization “God. I'm gonna have to watch these two play out a love scene.” But fortunately it was not to be, since Hailee Steinfeild was only fourteen at the time of shooting, a fact I only just became aware of. I think this did the film a favor as any sort of nudity or romantic scenes would have made me stop watching than and there.

Furthermore in terms of the acting I found Damian Lewis’ portrayal of Lord Capulet wooden, the fight scene between him and Juliet was devoid of any real emotion, unlike Paul Servino in Luhrmann's version he did not seem to get across any sort of threat, instead settled for muttering of his lines, looking more uncomfortable and angered by his ridiculous haircut than his daughter.

Please feel free to comment your own views on the film if you've watched it, I would love to know how others felt about it.