I don't care how campy it is... I've loved this movie since the very first time my older, teenage cousin showed it to me at age nine. I can't quite explain what it is about it that draws me into it so much. I guess I just always felt that the idea of taking a centuries old story - usually portrayed by men in unflattering, often humorous costumes consisting of TIGHTS - and bringing it into "modern" times, and having it take place in a strange, kitschy City of Angels type setting, complete with Catholic religious iconography to add to the whole dark aspect, was one of the most genius ideas ever.
And of course, I think the director's choice of casting a dashing, beautiful, young Leonardo Dicaprio as Romeo only served to help matters. Certainly didn't take away from my love for it, that's for sure. I remember being SO into this movie that I even named my temporary pet butterfly in the fourth grade, Romeo.
However, as modern an adaptation as this may have been in 1996, I think it's definitely time for somebody to do an even MORE modern adaptation, now that teenage couples' lives consist of high speed internet on tiny cell phones and text messaging and whatnot. And let's not forget those websites in which any individual can go to to become officially ordained ministers for the purposes of being able to help a couple get married. It'd be hella interesting to see how all THAT plays out in the story of Romeo and Juliet. Might even be almost impossible, if you really think about it... but anyways...
The ONLY thing about this particular movie that bugs me, however, is the wardrobe. It's not horrible, but it could have been WAY better. I mean, what's the deal with having Leo prancing about (haha) onscreen for the entire second half of the movie in that horrid Hawaiian print shirt?! I mean that just kinda killed the whole "tragic" feeling one is supposed to have when viewing this movie. I'm always so distracted by the bright blue and red flowery scene playing out on him that I can't concentrate on paying attention and trying to analyze the Shakespearean lines!
Jeez!
If it were up to me, I'd totally style Romeo and Juliet as a stylish Goth couple.
But then again, if it were up to me, I'd style just about anyone that crossed my path as a stylish Goth.
Goth rules. But so does Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet :)
3 comments:
When I was in high school, I saw this in the theater and I bawled my eyes out. The movie has been in my list of fav's since then. My friends and I always talk about the aquarium scene!
I love the movie, Baz is one of my favorite directors and Shakespiere is one of my favorite playwriters. Though with the redone I think an other 10 years should be gone before this would get old.
juliet xxx
I adore this movie. I'll never get sick of it.
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